Swindon will head into the second leg of the Charity Shield facing a narrow six-point deficit – after a 42-48 reverse at Belle Vue on Monday.
The CFS Filtration Robins worked hard to restrict the Aces throughout an entertaining season-opener, in a meeting which contained plenty of good racing.
The home side were well served by Steve Worrall and Max Fricke, who were both unbeaten going into Heat 15 – but returning Robins star Troy Batchelor conjured a fabulous start from gate two to spoil both Aces riders’ maximum hopes, and keep the margin in single figures.
It was Batchelor’s third win of the meeting as he top-scored with paid-13, and there were plenty of useful contributions down the order.
Belle Vue took early control with a 5-1 in Heat 2, but Swindon reserves Mitchell Davey and Zach Wajktnecht quickly got to grips with the conditions, and Davey nearly pulled off a stunning win in Heat 4.
Prior to that, Batchelor and David Bellego combined for maximum points in Heat 3, and the next race saw Fricke penalised under the new rule which prevents riders from disembarking from their machines to prepare the starting area.
But the Australian came back from a 15-metre handicap and after first passing Tobiasz Musielak, he surged inside the fast-gating Davey off the final bend to the delight of the home crowd.
Worrall and Craig Cook raced to a 5-1 in Heat 6, going either side of Musielak on the back straight, but the Robins worked hard for their points, and after sharing the next two races they notched a 4-2 in Heat 9.
Wajtknecht had transgressed at the start – and Musielak would do likewise in Heat 13 – but the Robins still collected an advantage as Rohan Tungate slowed at the end of the third lap.
Batchelor stopped an Aces’ 5-1 by overhauling Craig Cook for second place in Heat 10 behind the flying Worrall, and Adam Ellis re-passed Jye Etheridge for third in the next.
The gap was reduced to four points in Heat 12 in a frantic scrap for the minor places behind Batchelor, Wajtknecht keeping Dan Bewley at bay for third after missing out to Damian Drozdz midway through the race.
Cook made his best start of the meeting to take Heat 13 whilst Fricke charged past Robins skipper Nick Morris for a 5-1, but the visitors collected a 4-2 from Heat 14 as Tungate hit more trouble late on, with Davey profiting on this occasion.
Heat 15 required two starts with Batchelor initially warned for movement – but at the second time of asking, he gated clearly ahead and rode four perfect laps to get the better of Fricke and Worrall.
Robins boss Alun Rossiter said: “I thought it was quite a positive night, there was a lot to take from it and whilst of course we wanted to win, it was the first meeting and I’m not overly worried about it.
“It was about keeping things close, and we certainly did that. I still think it will be close on Thursday, maybe only a couple of points in it, and obviously we’re aware that Rohan (Tungate) certainly didn’t have the best of nights for them.
“I know Troy always likes this place, and it’s good to have him back. He’s got a smile on his face too, which is great to see.”
The second leg takes place at the Abbey Stadium on Thursday – and with entertainment high in the opening encounter, another close-fought contest is expected.
BELLE VUE 48: Steve Worrall 13+1, Max Fricke 13+1, Craig Cook 7+1, Dan Bewley 6, Damian Drozdz 5, Jye Etheridge 4+1, Rohan Tungate 0.
SWINDON 42: Troy Batchelor 12+1, David Bellego 7+1, Nick Morris 7, Tobiasz Musielak 5+1, Mitchell Davey 5+1, Adam Ellis 4+2, Zach Wajtknecht 2.
