Somerset Rebels v Edinburgh Monarchs

After a long night at Somerset during which the Rebels were reduced to four riders plus their number 8, we went down 48-41.

We might have done better in the circumstances, obviously, but Somerset deserve much credit while our riders all rode well enough, especially Wolbert, Cook and Wethers.

We had Katajisto missing with a back injury, and Tom Perry guested again for Byron Bekker.

Kevin Wolbert improved on recent heat ones with a fast win, dust flying high right from the off.

Kyle Howarth tried hard in heat 2, holding second for a while, before he was passed by Davies who joined Newman for a 5-1.

Heat 3 proved to be a disaster for Somerset who lost both Gathercole and North after a first lap pileup. Our pair managed to avoid the melee.

There was a long delay while the track was graded, and eventually also watered once a broken tractor was mended. The spray watering was repeated at various intervals.

During the delay Matthew was interviewed, describing the track as the poorest he has known it, for which he earned a round of applause from the home support.

In the rerun we were delighted to see Matthew win his comeback heat, but Andrew lost second when passed by Davies.

We were unlucky in heat 4. James Wright was moving but Craig Cook went through the tapes. He was annoyed, and off 15 metres he rode a storming race to catch Newman, unfortunately just failing to get through in a thrilling attempt.

Luck turned our way in heat 5. Kevin passed the fast-gating Newman after a lap, then Newman shed a chain, bringing the unfounded suggestion that it had been knocked off. Happily Newman kicked that suggestion into touch, and though he was injured in the incident he recovered. So that was a 5-0 in our favour.

Cook confirmed his good form by bursting past Masters early in heat 6 and winning easily, with Tom Perry beating no. 8 Bates for the point. We now led 18-17.

Wright's starting tactics backfired on him in heat 7, won by Davies from Tully, but Wright did overhaul Matthew let in the race to put his team a point up again.

Heat 8 proved to be something of a turning point. It looked good with Kyle Howarth leading and Matthew team riding in his inimitable style. However they were just a shade slow which allowed the excellent Newman to squeeze past Matthew, who made matters worse by falling off!

The home reserves were out in heat 9 for the injured pair, and they were certainly proving no weaker. Davies won from Cook in a good three-way battle.

Matthew then beat Masters in heat 10 with Andrew almost managing to pass him as well. We were now just 30-29 down.

Another Wright flier helped him to give Kevin his first defeat in heat 11, then Davies and Newman scored a killer 5?1 over Andrew in heat 12. We were now 7 down and needed something special to get back into the match.

Kevin and Craig rode well in heat 13, keeping Masters at the back, but off gate 4 Wright gained the advantage at the first corner to win.

Matthew took a good win over the home reserves in heat 14 which left us needing an advantage in the final heat to take a point.

It must have been a close call between Cook and Wethers to partner Wolbert in the final heat. Kevin made no mistake from gate 4 to win easily, while Matthew duelled with Wright and Masters. Using his canny inside line it seemed he might even pass Wright at one stage, but on the last corner a wide sweep by Masters took him into third place at the line by about a wheel.