Edward Kennett insisted he was full of the feelgood factor after playing a starring guest role in an emphatic 56-38 victory for Eastbourne Eagles over Elite League title favourites Swindon Robins.

Kennett, on loan to Poole this term, was recalled to take over from Stefan Andersson, who was recovering from the after-effects of concussion.

The 20-year-old earned praise from Eagles team-mates and manager Trevor Geer after collecting 12 points while proving how his riding has benefited by working with world champion Jason Crump in Dorset.

He shared two 5-1s with fellow youngster Lewis Bridger as he recorded three heat wins, a second and a third in in five rides at Arlington.

Mid-table Eagles should now seal a bonus point for best aggregate score at Swindon on Thursday.

Kennett, nephew of the legendary Gordon, opted for Poole after a couple of erratic seasons with Eastbourne.

But he said: "It felt good to be back riding for Eastbourne. The bike was working well and the team did well.

"I'm enjoying myself at Poole. I feel I've made the right decision to get away to a big track and I'll keep plugging away. But I'm not saying I don't want to ride for Eastbourne again. Maybe I will be back for next season."

Kennett outshone fellow rising star Bridger, 17, who had to content himself with a six points after scoring double-figures for much of this season on his home track.

Bridger bagged three second spots but was last in heat two and excluded after crashing on the second of three re-runs in heat 13.

The re-runs in heat 13 were largely caused by the rivalry between Eagles No.1 Nicki Pedersen and Robins' top ace Leigh Adams, who both crashed in the first two attempts as they vied for the lead at the first bend.

A cool it' plea from referee Frank Ebdon was always going to fall on deaf ears and the pair were eventually adjudged to have dead-heated.

Pedersen, who had lost his unbeaten record at Arlington this season while helping Kennett to victory in the opening heat, believes he beat Adams.

The former world champion who was Eagles top scorer on 12 with three wins, said: "It was hard for Frank to see who won it but I believe I did. That's racing. Although I lost my record, the important thing was the victory, especially over the Swindon boys. They are well prepared and second in the league. It was a tremendous performance.

"The crashes? It was top riding - tense stuff between myself and Leigh. It was just first-bend bouncing."

Eagles manager Trevor Geer said: "We viewed the dead-heat on a video and Nicki was a good wheel in front.

"Edward was a big reason we won, although everyone was fired up. I thought it was going to be a tight meeting but we could have won by even more with the dead-heat and going close to adding two 5-1s to the three we did get."

Veterans duo Dean Barker and David Norris also played crucial roles, scoring 20 points between them, while Cameron Woodward tailed off after winning the first heat.

Norris said: "Edward was superb The result was better than I expected."

Eastbourne Eagles: Nicki Pedersen 12.5 (5), Edward Kennett 12+1 (5), David Norris 9+1 (6), Dean Barker 11+2 (5), Cameron Woodward 12+1 (4), Lewis Bridger 6+2 (5).

Swindon Robins: Leigh Adams 18.5 (6), Mads Korneliussen 1 (4), Charlie Gjedde 2+1 (4), Lee Richardson 10+1 (7), Andrew Moore 3+1 (5), Tomasz Chrzanowski 4 (4)