A DANK Dorset evening could yet offer a sign of things to come in the 2012 Elite League.

While this fascinating skirmish between Poole and Swindon was cut short last night, do not bet against them renewing rivalries when it really matters.

There remains little to suggest that pundits are wrong to extol the virtues of these two title contenders.

All the evidence from this heavyweight contest simply provided further proof of their strengths.

It was a major shame that the weather intervened and ruined what had been quickly developing into a ding-dong battle between the much fancied Pirates and Robins.

In eight action-packed completed heats, the racing was hard fought and entertaining as both sides put it all on the line in tricky conditions in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

Boosted by the firepower of Chris Holder and Darcy Ward, Poole had taken the chequered flag on five occasions when rain curtailed proceedings with the scores tied at 24-24.

And while Swindon became the latest team to have no answer to the Turbo Twins, their all-round depth, underlined by in-form reserve Peter Kildemand, meant they were well in with a shout until the downpour.

Both clubs had arrived for the match boasting unbeaten starts to their league campaigns.

The clash took place against the backdrop of an off-track dispute over Pirates’ signing of Swindon asset Adrian Miedzinski.

Comments in the Daily Echo from Robins boss Alun Rossiter – that he felt Poole looked “a bit vulnerable at the bottom end” and were not the best team in the division – only added to the spice.

The action lived up to such big billing, even if the paying public were eventually left aggrieved.

There had been little to separate the riders until the abandonment was announced.

But this will not be the last Pirates see of their Wiltshire counterparts.

A play-off showdown could be on the cards.