NEW-LOOK Swindon kicked-off their season with a 53-41 Challenge match victory over a Somerset Select side at the Abbey Stadium.

The Rebels were beefed up by the inclusion of Aussie duo Darcy Ward and Davey Watt, but the Robins had more strength-in-depth and got their campaign off to the best possible start.

New skipper Hans Andersen led the way with a 13-point haul, which included wins over both Ward and Watt, and he had good backing from other winter recruits Nick Morris (9) and Troy Batchelor (8+4).

Somerset actually led 16-14 in the early stages, but a flurry of race advantages put the home favourites into an unassailable 37-23 lead after Heat 10.

Ward and Watt went out as tactical rides in races 11 & 12, but they come up against some stiff resistance and both had to settle for second places behind Andersen and Simon Stead.

A twelve-point margin of victory was maintained in the final three races and the Wiltshire men will take that advantage into Friday night’s second leg at the Oak Tree Arena.

SWINDON 53: Hans Andersen 13, Nick Morris 9, Troy Batchelor 8+4, Simon Stead 8, Robin Aspegren 6+1, Peter Kildemand 5, Kenny Ingalls 4+3

SOMERSET SELECT 41: Darcy Ward 16, Davey Watt 10, Sam Masters 5, Claus Vissing 4, James Wright 3, Alex Davies 3, Kyle Newman 0, Tom Perry 0