Eastbourne Eagles' opening home Elite League fixture of the season was washed out after seven races due to persistent rain.

The Eagles were leading Swindon 25-17 when referee Mick Bates abandoned the match after consulting with riders and team managers.

Bates said: "We had to call it off. The riders would have been happy to continue if the rain had stopped. They could not see where they were going because there was so much rain on their goggles.

"The third bend was greasy and we had two fallers in the last race so we had no option."

The result does not stand and the match will be re-staged later in the season.

Two of Eastbourne's first three home matches have fallen foul of the weather and last Thursday's meeting at Swindon was abandoned at mid-point due to rain.

It is a dismal start for the Eagles and leaves the riders woefully short of match practice before Good Friday's home and away fixtures against Poole.

Olli Tyrvainen has become the club's commercial director following the departure of Chris Macdonald by "mutual agreement". Co-promoter Jon Cook will take over from Tyrvainen as team manager.

Eastbourne: David Norris 6, Nicki Pedersen 5, Adam Shields 5, Peter Ljung 4, Joonas Kylmakorpi 4, Edward Kennett 1, Ulrich Ostergaard 0.

Swindon: Leigh Adams 6, Oliver Allen 4, Andy Smith 3, Charlie Gjedde 1, Andrew Moore 1, Steve Johnston 1, David Ruud 1.

Bonus points, Eastbourne: Kylmakorpi 2, Ljung 1, Kennett 1; Swindon: Gjedde 1.