It never rains but it pours. At least that's how it must feel to Eastbourne Eagles at the moment.

The beleagured Sussex side were poised to land their first bonus point of the season, and possibly only their second win of the campaign, when the heavens opened at Coventry last night.

The match, with Eagles in front 29-25, was abandoned after nine heats following a torrential downpour, the third time this season a match has been abandoned without a result.

It means the teams will have to try again later in the year, while Eagles stay bottom of the Elite League.

Plus points for the visitors were another promising display by young Swedish reserve Peter Ljung and two unbeaten rides by Nicki Pedersen.

Ljung, whose next appearance will be in Saturday's Swedish Grand Prix when Pedersen begins the defence of his world title, raced to a paid eight points from four rides.

There were also notable contributions from Joonas Kylmakorpi and from Adam Shields.

And there was no stopping Pedersen, who roared to victory in both his rides, but in the end it was all to no avail.

Lee Richardson, back in the Coventry line-up for the first time since his close-season move to Peterborough as a guest for the injured Andreas Jonsson, also scored two wins in two outings before the rain-storm hit the stadium.

Coventry: Stuart Robson 7, Lee Richardson 6, Morten Risager 4, Chris Harris 3, Jason Bunyan 3, Billy Janniro 2, Bryan Yarrow 0.

Eastbourne: Peter Ljung 7, Joonas Kylmakorpi 7, Nicki Pedersen 6, Adam Shields 5, David Norris 2, Edward Kennett 2.