Somerset Rebels v Edinburgh Monarchs

In 2013 we won a sensational match at Somerset, then last year the cameras were there again for our Pairs win from Sam and Max.

Did we think we could manage a hat-trick, with our match at Somerset switched to the 11th to allow us to appear again?

Some people did, and Sam Masters will tell anyone who wants to listen that he was one of them. It probably wasn’t quite as entertaining a match for the neutral as the 2013 one, but it was an even better performance by the team.

Throughout the evening our gating was superb, the first bend work exemplary, the teamwork excellent and we just never let up. The Rebels had just one heat advantage, and of course it was the night we really saw Erik Riss display all his potential.

With some smooth and powerful surges around the outside, Erik was almost irresistible. His combination with Craig in heat 13 (truly memorable) clinched the match and his brilliant big win in heat 14 set up the last heat to ensure the fourth point. We were all happy he didn’t try anything too bold when it wasn’t needed in the last race.

Craig was magnificent as he has been in every match recently. Great gating, extremely fast but always thinking what he needs to do and how he can team up with his partner. Superb tactics in heat 13. Definitely Premier League no. 1 by a wide margin.

Justin had another great match and is really enjoying himself. A 5-1 in heat 1 was just what we wanted, and he also won heats 8 and 9 to ensure there was no mid-match slump.

Kevin is playing a backup role to some extent but it is an important one, covering the third rider replacement and picking up as many wins as he can in his super-smooth style.

The reserves shared heat 2 when we might have slipped back to level after the heat one maximum, and that was the important part of their job done. It was really tough thereafter but they were not far off the pace. All they will have to think about is gradually learning to ride a bit wider and quicker on this type of track.

And Sam was there again with advice, encouragement and enthusiasm. What a team.