Somerset Rebels v Edinburgh Monarchs

Even optimists in the Monarchs? camp felt we would not push the Rebels too close on the fast Somerset track, so a final deficit of 44-48 represents a great effort.

This is especially true considering the start we made. We lost a comfortable 5-1 in heat 1, and another in heat 2 though Andrew got reasonably close.

The recovery began with race wins for Matthew in heat 3 and Ryan in heat 4, plus a third for Thomas which brought us a 4-2 in the third heat.

We looked like sharing heat 5 until Derek?s brave fight to home off Emil Kramer just failed up the final straight as the Rebel pipped him.

Ryan switched back off the second bend and swept past Jason Doyle for a big win in heat 6, but we trailed again in heat 7 after Thomas and Matthew were outgated.

Heat 8 was a great effort by Derek who squeezed to the front off the second bend on the outside, and spent the whole race trying to fend off the faster Frampton (inside) and Werner (outside). As in heat 5 he didn?t cover the outside well enough round the final bend and just lost out to Werner.

The score now stood at 17-37 and although we had provided some decent opposition from heat 3 onwards, it didn?t seem likely that we could get anywhere near a result.

Fisher in heat 9 was a clear TR chance, though he was off the poorish gate 1. Kramer was off 4 and gave Ryan his first defeat, but Andrew did well to pass Kroger to earn us a 5-3.

Matthew and Thomas shared heat 10 behind Doyle who got a blinding start off gate 4, then we saw a good ride by former Rebel Lemon to head home Frampton with Derek holding third this time, not really pressed by Katt.

We were now 10 behind and saw the best of Thomas on an excellent heat 12. He had gate 4 but didn?t really get away ahead of Kramer, with whom he had a thrilling battle of passing and repassing before taking a great win. Andrew took third again and the gap was now down to 8.

Doyle won heat 13 but Frampton pulled a big locker coming out of the second bend and couldn?t get out of last place.

At 8 down we had the choice of trying a TS in heat 14, or using Andrew who had had a couple of good thirds to replace Aaron off the gate. John Campbell went for the latter, looking for a draw with two 5-1s.

Andrew was off gate 4 but didn?t make the start, and although Matthew rode brilliantly to win again, the 3-3 clinched a home win.

The last heat was another excellent race with Ryan riding wide and Matthew on the inside riding a cool 4 laps to hold off the hard-pressing Frampton. Frampton stopped on the final turn though the 5-1 was coming anyway.

Admittedly the Rebels would have had Doyle in the final heat had it been a decider, but the 44-48 result was a booster for us rather than the Rebels.

Somerset Rebels v Edinburgh Monarchs

The top 2 go head to head on Wednesday as the Somerset Rebels entertain the Scotwaste Monarchs at the Oak Tree Arena.

The Rebels are currently enjoying a hugely impressive season and are especially strong round their home circuit, so much so that no team really goes there with a realistic chance of winning. This certainly applies in the Monarchs? case and any more than 35 points should, in my opinion, be viewed as a success.

Like the Monarchs, Somerset have an excellent strength in depth. Indeed, according to the August green sheets, their lowest rider (veteran American Brent Werner) has an average of almost 6.00!

However, in addition to the strength at the lower end, the Rebels also possess the added bonus of an out and out number 1, namely Australian, former Isle of Wight and Poole rider, Jason Doyle. Doyle has accumulated double figures in almost all meetings he?s been involved in this season, the highlight of which would probably be a paid 21 maximum at Reading, which ensured his side?s progress in the KO Cup. In fact, he was at it again last night when a 17 point haul proved pivotal as they booked their place in the Cup Final. It may be a bit too much to expect any our guys to beat him, so let?s just allow him another full house and we?ll concentrate on keeping up with his teammates!

Even ignoring the Rebels? frightening strength at home, it?s fair to say the Oak Tree Arena isn?t exactly one of the Monarchs? favourite hunting grounds. Having drawn there in 2002 and won in 2003 (a very good year!), we?ve been continually thumped ever since!

William Lawson is edging ever nearer to a return. However, he won?t be risked this week. Therefore we have, once again, chosen our favourite guest as cover. And what a cover it could prove to be, as former Rebel Mark Lemon is the man in question. Lemo rode for Somerset in 2003 (as I said earlier, a very good year!) and definitely knows the fastest way round.

Another Monarch who is certainly no slouch is Matthew Wethers (despite what Tai Woffinden may think!). He grabbed a somewhat notable scalp last season when beating none other than PL top man Magnus Zetterstrom. More of the same this year please young man!

The Somerset circuit is also ?special? for young Aussie reserve Aaron Summers, who made his Monarchs? debut there in 2007, while on KO Cup Quarter Final duty. He?ll be looking to improve on the 1+1 he scored that night.

However, possibly the most interesting aspect of this fixture will be seeing how first time visitors, Ryan Fisher and Thomas H Jonasson take to the track. If they do well and score decent points, at least we?ll escape without humiliation!

As always, may the best team win...

Likely line ups:

Somerset: Jason Doyle, rider replacement for Simon Walker, Emil Kramer, Matthias Kroger, Jordan Frampton, Stephan Katt, Brent Werner.

Edinburgh: Mark Lemon, Derek Sneddon, Thomas H Jonasson, Ryan Fisher, Matthew Wethers, Andrew Tully, Aaron Summers.