PIRATES came crashing back down to earth after they were rocked 53-37 by SGB Premiership rivals Swindon at the Abbey.

A 12-point haul from Brady Kurtz proved not enough for Neil Middleditch’s men as they suffered their first defeat since the beginning of July.

Rasmus Jensen starred for the hosts with 13+1, while Jason Doyle (11) and Troy Batchelor (9) once again weighed in with pivotal contributions.

Middleditch, whose side had beaten Swindon 46-44 at Wimborne Road three nights previously, told the Daily Echo: “It was a tough night at the office really. Swindon obviously wanted revenge for Monday night and got it in true fashion.

“There was some great racing, I have to say. But it wasn’t the result we wanted. We just have to put that one behind us.

“It’s speedway, you can’t be good every night. We’ve just got to move on.”

Poole once again went into the clash with a team of just six and operated rider replacement for the injured Richie Worrall.

Hosts Swindon welcomed back Claus Vissing at reserve to complete their full septet.

And as they did at Wimborne Road on Monday, Adam Ellis and Doyle teamed up to record a 5-1 for the Robins in the opening heat.

Former world champion Doyle took the chequered flag with Ellis cutting back to pass Poole’s Nico Covatti on lap two.

Ellis Perks led from the gate ahead of Ricky Wells and Covatti in a shared reserves’ race. Jensen kept the run of Robins winners going in race three to finish ahead of Josh Grajczonek and Nicolai Klindt.

But Kurtz got Pirates off and running as they sealed their first heat advantage in race four.

A lightning start from the Aussie charger paid dividends. Wells just pipped Vissing into third spot after a gripping battle, meaning the Dorset club cut to two points the deficit.

But back came Alun Rossiter’s side as Jensen and Tobiasz Musielak claimed a one-two after the latter pulled off a tough move to claim second on the opening bend.

Kurtz picked up his second win of the night in race six but, with both Doyle and Ellis managing to pass Covatti, Poole remained six points adrift.

Swindon’s Batchelor gated ahead of Klindt and Grajczonek in heat seven before the Dane took over in front. Aussie Batchelor was to have the last say however, as he regained the advantage to take the spoils. Perks fell leaving Grajczonek the chance to take up third.

Despite the Pirates skipper splitting an Ellis-Vissing one-two in heat eight with a last-gasp effort for second on the line, Swindon still opened up an eight-point lead.

Things went from bad to worse for Poole in heat nine when Kurtz touched the tapes and was sent out in the re-run off a 15-metre handicap.

He could only pass Covatti into third as Swindon duo Musielak and Jensen cashed in.

Doyle and Ellis rubbed salt into the wounds as the 5-1s continued to roll in for the Robins, this time they overcame Klindt and Grajczonek.

Kurtz was to get back on track in heat 11 with a race win as a tactical substitute. Batchelor pipped Jack Holder into second on the final lap but Poole managed to secure the 4-2.

Reserve Covatti then showed his class by taking the chequered flag ahead of Jensen in heat 12 – Klindt was third as Pirates pulled another two back to trail 42-30.

But the Robins had the meeting wrapped up and it was captain Doyle who ensured it, riding the fence all the way to triumph in race 13. Batchelor squeezed past Holder on the last lap for third to earn the hosts a 4-2.

Grajczonek emerged victorious from the penultimate heat but, with Covatti at the back, Pirates were guaranteed no league points from the contest.

Jensen and Batchelor teamed up for a 4-2 either side of second-placed Grajczonek in the nominated race.