AS the dust finally settled on the 2014/2015 Elite League speedway season, Total Sport’s Ryan Walker looks back over the previous campaign, reviewing every twist and turn of the Robins’ search for success.
The Swindon ‘M&S Van Rental’ Robins came into the 2015 Speedway Elite League with a point to prove, after finishing fourth the previous season and being knocked out of the playoffs at the hands of the Coventry Bees. With a strong squad, consisting of the likes of fans’ favourite Nick Morris, Captain Troy Batchelor, and Polish rider Grzegorz Zengota, the Wiltshire club had their sights set high.
A mixed start to the season saw the Swindon Robins win only half of their first six meetings, after losing at home against Poole and away at both Lakeside and King’s Lynn respectively. However three out of four wins in May meant that the Robins had started to gain momentum, but were still without their first away victory of the season, something that the Robins would not achieve until July.
Calmness and consistency were much needed in order for the Swindon squad to keep their playoff hopes alive throughout June but, with the departure of Adrian Miedzinski following a 38-52 away defeat at Leicester, things were not looking positive and a disappointing season appeared to be the only possible outcome. Until the arrival of Australian superstar Darcy Ward.
Ward signed for the Robins on a temporary loan basis from the Poole Pirates in July, following his 10-month ban from the sport in August 2014 after failing a breathalyser test, but an impressive points total of 15+1 in his first outing for the Wiltshire club showed that he was still one of the Elite Leagues best riders and the Swindon fans finally had something to look forward to. Ward’s impact within the team was almost immediate when, after an exciting 50-42 home victory against arch rivals Poole, the Robins managed to get their first away victory of the season and looked set to kick-start their push for success in the 2015 Elite League.
Victories for the Swindon Robins started to come thick and fast, managing three wins on the bounce at the end of July, and the effect of Darcy Ward appeared to not only be physical but also a mental boost for the team with Troy Batchelor and Nick Morris back producing their best, Swindon were now in a three way battle with Kings Lynn and Belle Vue for the two remaining playoff places.
A tough 42-48 away loss at the Belle Vue Aces meant that a home win over Playoff rivals Kings Lynn was required if the Swindon Robins were to qualify for their chance at Elite League glory. Coming into the meeting, King’s Lynn appeared to have the advantage with ex-Robins rider Dakota North and Freddie Lindgren guesting. Swindon knew they were in for a tough night. However three heat wins out of three for both Darcy Ward and Grzegorz Zengota, along with a fantastic 5-1 heat maximum in Heat 7, meant that come heat 12 the Swindon Robins were all but victorious, with a final meeting score of 53-39, and an impressive debut for number two Aaron Summers who scored 9+1 on the night.
Then, even though playoff qualification seemed to have been virtually secured at the expense of the King’s Lynn Stars, just three days later disastrous news shook the Speedway World. Swindon rider Darcy Ward had suffered a horrific crash, seriously injuring his spine whilst racing for Polish team Zielona Gora. The resulting injuries meant that Swindon were left without their star-man at a crucial time in the season, and thus decided to call on ex-Robins and GP rider Peter Kildemand.
Although Kildemand was a fantastic addition to a squad that needed to be ready for the tough playoff draw against Belle Vue, the impact of Darcy Ward’s injury seemed to be too much for a side so vastly dominated by Australian riders, and Swindon crashed out of the 2015 Elite League Season, losing 97-79 on aggregate.
The Poole Pirates went on to win the league title for a third time in as many years at the expense of the Belle Vue Aces and the Swindon Robins, along with manager Alun Rossiter, can look back on the year with mixed feelings. On one hand, the Robins can be proud of the fact they made it to the playoffs and displayed some of the league’s best racing with Darcy Ward firing on all cylinders.
However, many Swindon fans will also look back with the regular feeling of disappointment as once again the Robins made the playoffs but fell at the last hurdle, struggling to make any ground in the two legs before being denied the chance of gaining Elite League glory. It must be mentioned, however, that without Darcy Ward in the tea, the Robins wouldn’t have even made the playoffs, which is a fantastic compliment to Darcy’s skill and determination.
The Swindon Robins will return in the 2016 Elite League Season with a new stadium after the demolition of the Abbey Stadium, and there is no doubt that Rosco and his men will be ready to grace the new track with a repeat of the 2012 heroics firmly in mind.