SWINDON Robins team manager Alun Rossiter conceded it was in the best interest of everyone to call off tonight’s meeting between Swindon Robins and Somerset Rebels.

The heavens opened above Blunsdon little over an hour before racing was set to start, leaving large puddles along the back straight and on the inside of all the bends.

Despite attempts to push back the start time to allow the track to dry off, with hose pumps used to clear the stagnant water, further showers meant that all officials had to agree, for the safety of the riders, to call off the meeting.

“It was the right decision,” said Rossiter.

“They were going to try and get it on but the crowd would have been gone and there are still puddles on the track, the track is saturated.

“There was just no chance of getting it on this evening.

“Where it is so wet, the guys will get filled in and it gets dangerous for the riders when they get covered in the shale and mud that is left.

“It’s not an ideal situation but, as we speak, the rain is coming down again, and it is best for all involved to postpone the meeting.”

Long conversations were had in the pits after the decision was made between Rossiter, Somerset team manager and Robins owner Terry Russell about when they could rearrange the meeting.

With a cut-off date of the September 6 to get any outstanding meetings into the diary, time was against both clubs, with next Thursday looking like the likely day for the rearranged fixture.

“The cut-off date is looming closer and we don’t want to lose any more meetings,” added Rossiter.

“It’s a massive issue trying to rearrange the meeting.

“It’s difficult. You’ve got a cut-off date, they haven’t got riders, then they are going to come with half a team, it is so awkward.

“With so many riders riding across Europe now, we could have gone for a Tuesday but we have got riders riding in Sweden, we could have gone for a Sunday but there is Poland.

“We’re looking at next Thursday but unfortunately they are going to be weakened, they haven’t got a side, but we need to get it on.”

Swindon head to Somerset this evening looking to put last night’s blip behind them as they aim to make it 12-straight wins in the SGB Premiership and will have James Sarjeant guesting for the injured Zach Wajtknecht, with the young Brit also featuring against King’s Lynn Stars on Monday night.

Rossiter said: “It will be a tough one, they ride their home track really well and it is probably our toughest challenge now.

“We have got to make sure we are up for the challenge.

“They know that place like the back of their hand and we have to be up for the fight if we are to keep this run going.”