SWINDON’S top three riders all recorded maximums in a resounding 57-33 win over bottom club Leicester at the Abbey on Thursday.

Nick Morris, Josh Grajczonek and skipper Jason Doyle all went through the card unbeaten in a dominant display from the M&S Van Rental Robins, who completed their regular home campaign on a high.

But they are now likely to need a further point on the road from one of their final two away matches after Lakeside collected a point of their own from a 42-48 defeat at King’s Lynn.

Thursday’s results leave the Robins on 47 league points, a total which can be matched by the Hammers if they win their final two home matches against King’s Lynn and Swindon, and the Purfleet club also have a superior points difference.

Swindon visit Belle Vue on September 14 and Lakeside on September 16, and a point in either fixture – by finishing six or less behind on the night – will be enough to ensure the Hammers cannot catch them.

King’s Lynn can still finish on 51 points, but four of their remaining five matches are away from home, so the Stars will need to pull off a remarkable run of results from their trips to Coventry, Lakeside, Leicester and Poole if they are to seriously challenge.

The Robins’ win over Leicester was a routine affair with the visiting riders offering varying degrees of competitiveness.

Morris gave his confidence a great boost with five straight wins, Grajczonek unselfishly lifting off on the run to the line in Heat 15 to allow his team-mate the full 15-point score.

Doyle, celebrating his new two-year deal with the Robins, was imperious against his former club, his only real threat coming when lively guest Michael Palm Toft forced him wide on the first lap of Heat 13.

But Doyle turned on the power to join Grajczonek up front for the first of three successive 5-1s in the last three races for the Robins.

Justin Sedgmen enjoyed a return to form at the Abbey with two race wins, whilst there were mixed fortunes elsewhere with Rohan Tungate falling foul of referee Dave Watters for movement at the start, whilst Stefan Nielsen fell on the last bend of Heat 12.

Palm Toft was easily the pick of the visitors, whilst Paul Starke and Aaron Summers had their moments, although the Lions’ night was summed up by Summers and Palm Toft taking a 5-1 in Heat 8 when the tactical ride was not in use - whilst Summers was overhauled by Grajczonek and did not score double when he did wear the black-and-white helmet colour two races later.

Swindon boss Alun Rossiter said: “It was a good performance from the boys at the end of a fantastic week for the club with Jason signed up for two years, a new stadium coming, and hopefully close to a play-off place.

“I’m a little concerned about the reserves, I know Charles got paid-eight but he’s not quite firing like we know he’s capable, and Stefan’s struggling a little, so we need to get things sorted with them over the next few days.

“As for what happens now, we simply have to take one meeting at a time, so we’ll go to Belle Vue and try to do the job there, which is something we’ve done before this year. It will be a different kettle of fish this time around, but we’re capable of doing it.”

ELITE LEAGUE
SWINDON 57: Nick Morris 15, Josh Grajczonek 11+4, Jason Doyle 11+1, Justin Sedgmen 8, Charles Wright 7+1, Rohan Tungate 3+1, Stefan Nielsen 2+1
LEICESTER 33: Michael Palm Toft 13+2, Paul Starke 6, Aaron Summers 6, Josh Auty 3+1, Szymon Wozniak 3, Nicolai Klindt 2, Patrick Hougaard 0
Elite League points: Swindon 3 Leicester 0