SWINDON became the first team to take maximum points from Elite League leaders King’s Lynn in 2014 with a stirring 50-40 comeback win at the Abbey Stadium.

The Stars looked set for yet another away victory when they led 32-28 after ten races, but Alun Rossiter’s side dug deep and produced a fighting finale.

Visiting skipper Rory Schlein was in top form, partnering Kenneth Bjerre to a 5-1 in Heat 3 to which the Robins replied with two 4-2s to level the scores.

But the Stars edged back ahead at 19-17 and when Schlein ended Peter Kildemand’s unbeaten record in Heat 10, he put his side into a four-point advantage.

However, the Swindon fightback started when Nick Morris partnered skipper Troy Batchelor to a sensational 5-1 over Niels-Kristian Iversen in Heat 11, and Dakota North and value-for-money guest Charles Wright recorded a similar maximum in the next race.

Robins were now four points to the good but a pressure-cooker Heat 13 was twice stopped after first-bend incidents involving Kildemand, and on the second occasion the Swindon man was disqualified.

Batchelor, though, rose to the occasion by defeating Iversen and Bjerre in the re-run, and victory on the night was ensured by Simon Gustafsson taking the flag in Heat 14 with Wright supplying the vital third place.

Robins still needed an advantage from the last race to secure all three points, and Kildemand and Batchelor ensured the Blunsdon faithful went home happy with another big 5-1 over Iversen and Schlein.

Rossiter said: “We spoke before the meeting about how we keep collapsing, but this time we started off slowly and then went the opposite way!

“I’ve got to say all seven riders were heroes and I couldn’t ask for any more. Even young Nathan (Greaves) got stuck in and he’s unfortunate to get taken out of a race but when it’s that nip-and-tuck I have to do it.

“I’m really happy, that was a great comeback and the team-riding of Troy Batchelor was outstanding. When he’s like that, he’s a joy to watch.

“I think the big turning point was when Troy team-rode Nick home in Heat 11, to keep someone who’s just won a Grand Prix in Copenhagen (Iversen) behind them was a great job.”

SWINDON 50: Peter Kildemand 11, Troy Batchelor 9+2, Charles Wright 9+1, Simon Gustfasson 8, Dakota North 7, Nick Morris 6+1, Nathan Greaves 0.
KING’S LYNN 40: Rory Schlein 10+1, Niels-Kristian Iversen 9, Kenneth Bjerre 6+1, Lewis Kerr 6+1, Robert Lambert 4, Nicklas Porsing 3, Simon Lambert 2+1.