SWINDON kept their hopes of finishing top of the Elite League table alive with a hard-fought 50-43 victory over play-off chasing Poole at the Abbey.

In front of a bumper crowd, the Excalibur Communications Robins put in a battling display to dispatch of the Pirates and take all three Elite League points.

And team boss Alun Rossiter was delighted to see his side bounce back from two consecutive defeats.

Said Rossiter: “It was a really good win in front of what was easily our best crowd of the season and probably our best attendance for a few years.

“All the boys chipped in and it was a good all-around performance which was exactly what we needed after a couple of defeats.”

Danish duo Hans Andersen and Peter Kildemand looked back to their best as they put in exceptional performances – with Kildemand only denied a maximum by GP sensation Darcy Ward in heat 15.

He combined for two 5-1s with Nick Morris with the Aussie enjoying another superb evening – whilst Troy Batchelor and Eddie Kennett both recorded race wins to complete a strong display from the Robins top five.

Down at reserve, Kyle Howarth fought hard to notch a useful contribution against his former club, whilst Ashley Birks also chipped in with some crucial points to help his side take all three points.

Swindon 50: Peter Kildemand 12+1, Hans Andersen 12, Nick Morris 7+2, Troy Batchelor 7, Kyle Howarth 5+2, Edward Kennett 5+1, Ashley Birks 2+2

Poole 43: Darcy Ward 15, Greg Hancock 9, Josh Grajczonek 8+1, Maciej Janowski 7, Thomas H Jonasson 4+1, Micky Dyer 0, Rohan Tungate R/R