Somerset Rebels v Edinburgh Monarchs

With skies threatening and drizzle falling we finally managed to get our phase one match at Somerset staged, though with no points to add to our league tally.

Once again we started slowly, and never at any stage did we get everyone going. Our excellent middle pairing of Tully and Wethers was effective throughout, Kevin Wolbert wound up to take 8 from his last three heats and Kyle Howarth as ever wa in the thick of the action.

We started very disappointingly. The home pair made the start in heat one and though Kevin was close, it was another maximum loss to open the match.

The home reserves also made the gate in the next one, but Howarth managed to pass Holder and get into second. Unfortunately he lifted on the inside of the second bend on lap three and came down, causing the heat to be stopped and awarded.

When you are struggling, call for Tully and Wethers! They duly obliged with a 5-1 in heat three, Matthew slotting in behind fast gating Andrew in his usual expert style.

Craig Cook then went through the tapes in heat 4 and never looked like catching the field off 15 metres.

Kevin missed the gate once again in heat five but got into second with a good outside pass on Gathercole.

Craig lifted from the gate and we lost another maximum in heat six.

It was TR time. For two laps we were on an 8-1 with Andrew ahead and Matthew supporting, but Andrew was going a little too slow and tight which allowed Wright to get round them for a spectacular win.

Heat eight was the only one in which Kalle could even see the opposition after the second bend, but he was still at the back as Kyle managed to pick up a second place.

Craig lot his third 5-1 in heat nine and we now trailed 37-19. We needed a fightback even make the score respectable.

We got it too, starting with an 8-1 from Matthew and Andrew who got their team work spot on this time with Masters this time at the rear.

Kevin was gaining in confidence now and took a speedy three points from heat 11. Heat 12 looked quite a promising one too but this time Andrew missed the start and could make no headway, while Kyle battled with the home men and even led for a while before finishing second.

Masters gated in heat 13 with Kevin pressing in second, and then we had the heat of the night.

A three way tussle between Davies, Wethers and Gathercole featured many changes of position before unfortunately Matthew spun off on the last corner trying to turn tight on the inside.

Kyle was too close to miss him, and he flew into the fence.

Eventually Kyle rose while a few minutes later Matthew was also helped to his feet and taken off the track.

Eventually we were ready for heat 15, another impressive win for Kevin.