Swindon 44 Coventry 46 

Fans say farewell as Leigh Adams rides his last home Elite League fixture

 

In their concluding home Elite League fixture of the 2010 campaign,
Swindon fell to a slender two-point defeat against in-form Coventry.

Competing in his final Abbey Stadium league fixture, Robins' Legend
Leigh Adams headed the Swindon scoring with a fourteen-point haul.

 

 

Despite their fast-approaching Play Off Semi-Final second leg tie at
Peterborough on Monday, Coventry rode with tenacity and determination throughout.

Indeed, some of the on-track action was arguably the best seen at
Blunsdon this term. In particular a brilliant heat seven tussle
between Simon Stead and Edward Kennett which saw the likeable British duo indulge in a memorable four-lap duel.

 

It was, however, an emotional night for Swindon fans as Leigh Adams
competed in his final home Elite League meeting.

The affectionately nicknamed 'Sultan of Slide' rode with trademark
professionalism and would have notched a maximum points haul if it
hadn't of been for a spirited late charge from Coventry's Ben Barker
in heat ten.

Fittingly, Adams registered a comfortable heat fifteen win and brought
proceedings to a perfect conclusion.

The Robins were without their dynamic Polish duo of Grzegorz Zengota
and Maciek Janowski, both of whom were competing in the Golden Helmet meeting in their homeland.

Veteran Australian Jason Lyons was drafted in as a guest inclusion for
Janowski whilst the rider replacement facility was utilised for
Zengota. Elsewhere, popular Australian Justin Sedgmen joined fellow
Milduran Cory Gathercole in the Swindon reserve department.

Coventry used Hans Andersen as a guest for Krzysztof Kasprzak whilst
Aaron Summers replaced Przemys?aw Pawlicki at No.7.

Leigh Adams headed the Robins' score-card with a well deserved
fourteen point contribution. The Australian received solid support
from Simon Stead who amassed a paid eleven point total whilst Mads
Korneliussen (6+1) and Justin Segdmen (7) carded useful totals.

The latter produced an impressive Blunsdon display and showed some
lightening fast gating skills in the early stages to head the chasing
pack.

Coventry turned in a solid team display with sturdy totals from Chris
Harris, Edward Kennett and Lewis Bridger providing the foundations of
their success.

Swindon constructed a six-point lead in the middle sector of the
contest, but Coventry came on strongly in the latter stages to gain
the ascendancy.

 

A Bees' 4-2 in the penultimate race handed Alun Rossiter's side a
six-point unassailable lead. A 5-1 from Leigh Adams and Simon Stead in
the concluding race finished proceedings in fine style and shuffled
Swindon's total to 44.

Adams looked silky smooth out-front and after romping to victory,
completed a post-race celebratory lap in front of the appreciative
Robins' crowd.

 

SWINDON
Leigh Adams (C) 3 3 2 3 3 - - 14
Mads Korneliussen 1 2* 0 3 0 - - 6 (1)
Grzegorz Zengota R/R
Jason Lyons 0 3 1 1 0 - - 5
Simon Stead 3 2 3 0 2* - - 10 (1)
Cory Gathercole 0 0 0 2 - - - 2
Justin Sedgmen 3 2 1 0 1 R - 7
Team manager: Ronnie Russell

COVENTRY
Hans Andersen 2 1 2 2 - - - 7
Richard Sweetman R 0 1* 0 - - - 1 (1)
Ben Barker 1 1 3 3 0 - - 8
Edward Kennett 3 3 1 3 - - - 10
Chris Harris (C) 2 2 3 1* 1 - - 9 (1)
Lewis Bridger 2 1* 2 2* - - - 7 (2)
Aaron Summers 1* 0 2* 1 - - - 4 (2)
Team manager: Alun Rossiter
Referee: Phil Griffin

 

Photos by Ian Lewis