Ellis wants Swindon to fight till the end following latest victory

ADAM ELLIS admitted it has been ‘ a frustrating season’ for the Swindon Robins after last night’s 47-42 victory over the Poole Pirates kept their playoff hopes hanging by a thread. TotalSport Swindon’s Ryan Walker spoke to Ellis following the racing.

After losing their last three league meetings, Monday’s bank holiday clash gave the Robins riders a chance to redeem themselves in front of their home fans. And Ellis was positive after his side secured a hard-fought victory.

“Tonight was a lot better and was a good team performance all round,” said Ellis.

“There were no stand out big scores but everyone chipped in with points.

“The track was a lot more to our liking tonight and hopefully it will be like this for our next meeting.

“We still feel confident of getting the win here next week,” he added.

With track conditions being unfavourable for home riders at the Abbey Stadium this season, Swindon riders have struggled to have any home track riders over their opponents. However, Ellis was full of praise for the track staff last night stating that it was great racing all evening.

“It’s been a frustrating year for us,” said Ellis.

“We’ve had good and bad moments and tonight there were no complaints from anyone about the track.

“The track staff has done an awesome job and you can see they’ve put a lot of hours into getting the track right.

“The track when bad is the same for both teams,” he added.

“It’s disappointing when we don’t win our home meetings and we haven’t lost too many here at the Abbey.

“Unfortunately we lost the crucial meeting against Belle Vue but we don’t want next week to be our last home meeting of the season,” he said.

With last nights victory moving the Swindon Robins onto thirty-five points, it is still mathematically possible for the Wiltshire club to make the playoffs, albeit now relying on others to drop points. And Ellis stated that whilst there is still a chance to make the playoffs, all of the Swindon team will keep believing. 

“After tonight’s result we know the playoffs are out of our hands,” stated Ellis.

“By the time we come back to the Abbey for our next home meeting, we will know whether the playoffs are still possible.

“If we can still make it mathematically then we are still up for the challenge.

“We want to be in the playoffs again and fighting to retain our league title but we know it’s going to be a tall order,” he added.

But despite not enduring the best of seasons as Swindon attempt to retain their league title, 22-year-old Ellis was honest in appraisal admitting that his team just haven’t been good enough at times.

“I wouldn’t say this year is more difficult being current champions but it’s been tough at times,” Ellis said.

“Every team changes riders each year and you always get different line-ups who are favourites.

“We’ve been just as hungry to win as last year and we got off to a good start this year and were comfortable in those playoff spots until it really mattered,” he said.

“Everyone in the team is frustrated about what’s happened and now we will just have to wait and see what happens,” added Ellis.

Away from the team performance, Ellis rode to a paid eight points over the Poole Pirates last night. And when reflecting on his own season performances, the Team GB rider explained how he is happy to have continued improving his racing whilst being part of the Swindon team.

“For me personally it’s been a pretty good season,” said Ellis.

“I’ve increased my average by a point and things have been good.

“There have been some frustrating meetings for myself where bike problems in the first race have made for an average night of scoring seven which could’ve been more,” he added.

“It’s been an up and down season but compared to last year this has been a lot better for me.

“I want to be back at Swindon next year and it’s a place I want to stay at for a long time,” Ellis said