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YOUR LOGO HERE?? Contact: MIKE MANNING for details or write to: The Speedway Office, Oak Tree Arena, Bristol Road, Highbridge, Somerset, TA9 4HA

 

 

Rebels Third In Championship Meeting
Monday 16th August 2010

The Somerset ‘Dickies’ Rebels claimed a more than creditable third place finish in yesterday’s Premier League ‘Fours’ Championship that was held at Peterborough’s Alwalton Stadium, this despite losing number 1 Cory Gathercole for the final stages.

The Rebels won their qualifying group ahead of Edinburgh, they joining Birmingham and Sheffield in the 12 heat final, it being at this stage that Gathercole withdrew from the meeting, this being as a legacy of a first ride fall which left him feeling decidedly ‘2nd hand’, his withdrawal from the meeting being a precaution as much as anything else.

Right from the early stages of the Final it was clear that the battle for the Championship crown was going to be between Birmingham and Edinburgh with the Rebels in a scrap for third place with Sheffield.

As it was, Birmingham eventually ran out winners by 6 points, their quartet winning no less than 7 of the 12 heats, Somerset recovering from a slow start to the Final to finish on 15 points and that third place finish, thereby maintaining the club’s record of never finishing off the podium ever since they first qualified for the competition’s final stages in 2005.

Semi-Final 1: 1) Birmingham 14, 2) Sheffield 13, 3) Newcastle 12, 4) Berwick 9

Semi-Final 2: 1) Somerset 15 (Shane Parker 6, Sam Masters 5, Cory Gathercole 2, Ritchie Hawkins 2, James Holder dnr), 2) Edinburgh 14, 3) Scunthorpe 14), 4) Rye House 5

Final: 1) Birmingham 25, 2) Edinburgh 19, 3) Somerset 15 (Shane Parker 6, Sam Masters 5, Ritchie Hawkins 2, James Holder 2, Cory Gathercole dnr), 4) Sheffield 13

Rebels 10 Year Anniversary Field Now Complete
Monday 16th August 2010

The field for Somerset’s 10 Year Anniversary being held this Friday is now complete with the news that Newcastle’s up and coming Australian rider, Dakota North, has been booked to appear in the meeting, with the Rebels James Holder being the meeting reserve.

BIG STUFF At Somerset
Thursday 12th August 2010

The big events are coming thick and fast as far as the Somerset ‘Dickies’ Rebels are concerned with the club’s 10 Year Anniversary Meeting taking place next Friday (20th August), this following on from the Rebels match on Monday against Glasgow which was broadcast live by Sky TV, the match being widely acclaimed as one of the best ever seen on Sky TV since they started showing live speedway on their sports’ channels.

Originally set to open the Rebels 2010 season, the meeting was called off without a wheel being turned due to the inclement weather, the club having to wait until now before they could arrange its re-staging with what will be an almost completely new line up compared to that put together for back in March, which would have almost have been worthy of a Grand Prix, as Debbie Hancock explains;

“We did say at the time that if we couldn’t get a line-up comparable to that we had for the original staging then we wouldn’t run the meeting,” but I have had so many fans come up to me to say that they still wanted to have a celebration meeting, irrespective of whether or not we could get the Grand Prix riders back. Unfortunately, it has proved to be impossible to get them back, but the riders we have booked have all had excellent meetings here on their visits to the Oak Tree Arena, plus it has meant that we have been able to secure the services of Chris Holder, Darcy Ward and Jason Doyle who were unavailable for the original meeting.”

The riders that are already confirmed starters for what promises to be a great night of speedway action are Jason Lyons, Justin Sedgmen, Linus Sundström, Mark Lemon, Ricky Ashworth, Mads Korneliussen, Morten Risager as well as the home quartet of Shane Parker, Cory Gathercole, Sam Masters and Christian Hefenbrock, as well as the aforementioned Poole trio.

And to that impressive list can be added the name of Cameron Woodward, the Captain of Elite League Eastbourne Eagles, Woodward being amongst the riders who were part of the original field for the meeting, stepping in at the 11th hour when Roman Povazhny had to unfortunately withdraw.

“I am pleased that Cameron was able to accept the invitation to ride in the re-staging of the meeting,” said Debbie Hancock, “especially as he helped us out when coming in during the days leading up to the original meeting date. Cameron’s acceptance now leaves us with just one place to fill and hopefully we will be able to name that rider in the next few days.”bi

Rebels Aiming For Fours Glory
Monday 9th August 2010

The Somerset ‘Dickies’ Rebels will be amongst the 8 teams that will be competing for the Premier League Fours Championship which is being held at Peterborough’s Alwalton Stadium on Sunday, 15th August, the ‘Fours’ being a competition in which the Rebels have an excellent record, having won the title in 2005, the first year they qualified for the Finals, and since then a Somerset quartet has never finished outside of the top three.

The meeting will see each of the eight teams represented by four riders from their normal seven rider line up, the teams being split into two groups of four with each race being contested by a rider from each of the four teams within that group. At the conclusion of the group stage, which is over 8 heats with each rider being programmed to have two races, the top two teams from each group progress through to the Grand Final.

“The Fours is quite a unique competition,” said Somerset team manager Steve Bishop, “as although it is a team event, you only have one of your own riders out on track at any one time. Keeping your side of the score-chart ticking over is essential and so last places are to be avoided at all cost as every point is vital, I know that when Somerset won the title back in 2005 they only ran two last places the whole night and one of those was irrelevant as it was the last heat of the group stage and they had already qualified for the Final by then.”

“Everyone seems to be tipping the likes of Newcastle, Birmingham and Edinburgh to be in the shake-up for the title, which suits us just fine as it means that we go into the meeting without the pressure of having the ‘favourites’ tag pinned on us. It was the same in 2005, the team were not amongst the fancied front runners, but did the business on the night and came away with the trophy.”

“I think that we have a quartet to match any that will be lining up at Peterborough come Sunday afternoon and winning the Championship is well within our capabilities.”

Somerset will be represented by Cory Gathercole, Shane Parker, Sam Masters and Ritchie Hawkins, with Hawkins looking to make it a double success in the competition as he was a member of the historic Somerset quartet that won the trophy back in 2005.

Howarth a Rebel
Tuesday 3rd August 2010

The Somerset ‘Dickies’ Rebels have signed the up and coming young British rider, Kyle Howarth, to replace Australian Jake Anderson as one of the two reserve riders in their line-up. Howarth has made a number of guest appearances for the Rebels this year, particularly impressing in scoring paid 10 at Berwick at the end of May and only last Friday finished 3rd in the British under-18 Championship that was held at Somerset’s Oak Tree Arena track.

“Speedway is, unfortunately, a cruel sport and as we are starting to look ahead towards next year we have decided let Jake go in order to bring in Kyle,” said Rebels co-promoter Debbie Hancock. “I would like to thank the Birmingham management for the loan of Jake over the last month and I would personally like to thank him for all of his efforts and wish him well at his National League club Dudley and for the future.”

16 year-old Howarth, who joins the Rebels on loan from the Elite League’s Poole Pirates and currently rides for the Pirates junior side, the Bournemouth Buccaneers, in the National League, will make his Somerset debut in Sunday’s Premier League match at Newport before lining up for the Rebels in their Sky Sports televised home encounter against Glasgow the following evening.

Rebels Look To Tame Tigers In Front Of SKY TV Cameras
Sunday 1st August 2010

The Somerset ‘Dickies’ Rebels take a break from their usual Friday night action at the Oak Tree Arena this week, instead they will be preparing themselves for a high profile home match against the Glasgow Tigers on Monday 9th August, this match being broadcast live by the SKY TV cameras.

This will be the second time that SKY TV will have broadcast a match live from the Oak Tree Arena, last year’s encounter between the Rebels and King’s Lynn being widely acclaimed as one of the best matches seen on SKY TV all year.

After a disappointing start to the season, Glasgow’s fortunes have certainly picked up in recent weeks, this coinciding with their signing of ex-British Champion and Elite League star, Joe Screen, who forms a more than potent spearhead for the Tigers with another ex-Elite League rider, namely Australian Travis McGowan.

Back-up to this formidable duo comes in the shape of young Australian Josh Grajczonek, who is now in his third season with the Tigers, recent recruit from Workington, John Branney and the captain of the side, Lee Dicken, giving the Glasgow middle order a more than solid look about it, though Branney’s participation may well depend on his recovery from a wrist injury sustained at the weekend.

Finally at reserve Glasgow track another two young Australian riders, Mitchell Davey, who’ like team-mate Grajczonek, is in his third season with the Tigers and 16 year-old Nick Morris, a rider many tip to have a big future in the sport.

The big attraction though will be the appearance of 37 year-old Joe Screen, a rider who has graced the sport’s top division for some 20 years before moving into the Premier League with Glasgow at the start of June.

One of Britain’s top riders in his hey-day, Screen can count a British Under-21 and World Under-21 title as his two British Championship triumphs amongst his speedway honours and he has certainly started his Premier League career with a bang, living up to his big signing billing.

The Rebels, though, will be looking to build on their last home match that saw them comprehensively beat King’s Lynn, a meeting that saw all seven riders within the side hit top form.

“The King’s Lynn matched showed just what this team is capable of when they all hit form at the same time,” said Rebels co-promoter Debbie Hancock, “ but unfortunately that has happened all too rarely this year, which is probably down to the disruption we have had to suffer within the team this year as much as anything else.”

“It goes without saying that we are looking forward to appearing in front of the SKY cameras again, it must say something about the club and track here at Somerset that SKY have chosen to come back here for a second successive season, and they have certainly picked an attractive match to broadcast. In saying that, there is nothing quite like watching speedway live and first-hand and I would urge all Somerset fans to make a real night of it and come along to support the guys on Monday evening.”

Prior to Monday night’s match, however, the Rebels have the small matter of a local derby at Newport on the Sunday afternoon (8th August), that meeting getting underway at 2.30pm.

Somerset fans are reminded that with the SKY TV match against Glasgow taking place at the Oak Tree Arena on Monday 9th August, there will be no home speedway action for the Rebels this Friday (6th), although there is a special cricket match being staged on the Centre Green of the Oak Tree track when teams comprising of riders and fans representing England and Australia do battle for the OTA Cricket Ashes, which has been organised by the Somerset Riders' Equipment Fund (SREF), with the proceeding getting under way at 6pm, and admission £3 for adults and £1 for children.

Rebels Qualify For Premier League ‘Fours’ Championship
Tuesday 27th July 2010

The Somerset ‘Dickies’ Rebels are amongst the 8 teams that have qualified for the Premier League Four Team Championships that are being held at Peterborough’s East Of England Showground on Sunday 15th August.

The ‘Fours’ is an event in which the Rebels have a proud record, having won the title in 2005, the first year that they qualified for the final stages, and since then they have never finished off the podium.

The full draw for the event:

Group 1
Newcastle:
Kenni Larsen
Mark Lemon
Rene Bach
Jason King

Birmingham:
Jason Lyons
Richard Sweetman
Steve Johnston
Aaron Summers

Sheffield:
Josh Auty
Ricky Ashworth
Richard Hall
Josef Franc

Berwick:
Adrian Rymel
Lee Complin
Michal Makovsky
Paul Clews

Group 2
Edinburgh:
Ryan Fisher
Kevin Wölbert
Kalle Katajisto
Matthew Wethers

Rye House:
Linus Sundström
Jordan Frampton
Stefan Ekberg
Chris Neath

Scunthorpe:
David Howe
Magnus Karlsson
Carl Wilkinson
Tero Aarnio

Somerset:
Cory Gathercole
Shane Parker
Sam Masters
Ritchie Hawkins

Benefit for the Riders
Monday 26th July 2010

Somerset riders, Shane Parker and Cory Gathercole, were presented with a cheque for £200 each by the Somerset Riders’ Equipment Fund (SREF), SREF Committee members Di Phillips and Anita Kacerovskis making the presentations to the two riders last Friday prior to the Rebels home match against King’s Lynn. “Speedway is an expensive sport for riders”, said Di Phillips, “and if SREF’s fund raising helps them in a small way towards their costs we are only too pleased to do so and we are indebted to the fans as without their support we could not help the riders.”

Somerset fans are reminded of the England v Australia cricket match between riders and fans that is taking place at the Oak Tree Arena on Friday August 6th, commencing at 6pm with admission being £3.00 for adults and £1 for children under-12.

Details on the British Under 18 Championships at the Arena
Wednesday 21st July 2010

The draw has been made for the Final of the British under-18 Championship which is being staged at Somerset’s Oak Tree Arena on Friday 30th July, and GB under-21 team manager Neil Vatcher is urging fans to get along to the meeting and support the next generation of British speedway riders;

“You read and hear people bemoaning the perceived lack of British speedway talent, so here is an opportunity for them to get behind these kids and give them the support and encouragement they need and deserve.”

“The Oak Tree Arena in a superb track and venue for these youngsters to show-case their talents, having arranged a couple of under-15 second half meetings there already this year, I know how much the kids enjoyed riding there.”

“When you look back on the past winners of the under-18 title you have riders who are now full GB riders such as Daniel King and Lewis Bridger, plus the current British under-21 Champion, Joe Haines and of course there is Tai Woffinden. When you add in William Lawson and current Champion Jerran Hart, then that is not a bad list of names!”

The Somerset promotion have reduced their normal admission prices for this event, they being as follows: Adults £10.00, concessions £8.00, Children £4.00 with a free race-card being given out on entry. Somerset season ticket holders are advised that their season tickets are valid for use at this meeting.

Fans attending the meeting are asked to make note that the pre-meeting parade will take place at 7.15pm with tapes up on heat 1 being at 7.30pm. The meeting will see the top two riders at the end of the 20 qualifying heats be seeded directly through to the Final, with those placed 3rd – 6th after those qualifying heats taking part in the four rider semi-final, the top two finishers from that semi-final joining the top two qualifiers in the Grand Final.

Line up: 1) Kyle Howarth (Bournemouth), 2) Oliver Rayson (Mildenhall), 3) Ben Morley (Rye House), 4) Jason Garrity (Buxton), 5) Tom Perry (Dudley), 6) Joe Jacobs (Mildenhall), 7) Shane Hazelden (Rye House), 8) Tom Stokes (Unattached), 9) Brandon Freemantle (Under 15's), 10) John Resch (Bournemouth), 11) Ashley Morris (Dudley), 12) Jake Knight (Kings Lynn), 13) Brendan Johnson (Isle of Wight), 14) Rhys Naylor (Kings Lynn), 15) Ritchie Franklin (Dudley), 16) James Sarjeant (Unattached). Reserves: 17) Darryl Ritchings (Dudley), 18) Adam Kirby (Under 15’s). Stand-by riders: Daniel I’Anson (Newport), Lloyd Barrett (Unattached)

Rebels Reach For The Stars
19th July 2010

After having a couple of week’s break as far as home league action is concerned, the Somerset ‘Dickies’ Rebels roar back into action this Friday (23rd) at the Oak Tree Arena with the visit of the King’s Lynn Stars.

King’s Lynn come to Somerset as the current Premier League Champions, their 2009 table topping exploits being the second time that they have won the Premier League crown, and Friday’s meeting will be the second time that the Stars have visited the Oak Tree Arena this year having already featured in an exciting Premier Trophy match back in April that saw the Rebels emerge victorious 46-44.

Since then King’s Lynn have made one change to their line up, which sees Chris Mills returning to the Stars’ colours in place of Swede Linus Eklöf who has decided to take a break from racing in the UK.

Despite that though, King’s Lynn still boast an impressive looking septet, which is headed by two of the top riders currently plying their trade in the Premier League, namely Kevin Doolan and Tomas Topinka, though the latter has had a spell on the sidelines this year having suffered a leg injury following a crash at Rye House.

Doolan and Topinka are more than ably backed up by the exciting talent that is Australian Kozza Smith and the current British under-21 Champion, Joe Haines, with the Stars top 5 being rounded out by Dane Casper Wortmann.

At reserve King’s Lynn track the aforementioned new signing, and ex-Rebel, Chris Mills and local rider Darren Mallett.

The Rebels have no injury concerns following their weekend Northern Tour that took in Workington and Newcastle, which means that Australian Jake Anderson returns to the line up having missed the match at Newcastle as he was required to ride for his National League club, the Dudley Heathens that same day.

“Unbelievably, our last three home matches against King’s Lynn have all ended up as 46-44 victories for the Rebels,” said Somerset co-promoter Debbie Hancock, “and have all been amongst the most exciting matches seen at the Oak Tree Arena, with them all going to last heat deciders. Hopefully Friday’s meeting will be just as exciting as those previous matches, though my nerves would prefer it if this time around we had the match won before we get to heat 15!”

Teams (not in riding order)

Somerset – 1) Cory Gathercole (8.28), 2) Christian Hefenbrock (8.00), 3) Shane Parker (7.88), 4) Sam Masters (6.84), 5) Ritchie Hawkins (6.13), 6) James Holder (3.74), 7) Jake Anderson (3.00)

King’s Lynn – 1) Kevin Doolan (9.41), 2) Tomas Topinka (9.10), 3) Kozza Smith (7.03), 4) Joe Haines (6.62), 5) Casper Wortmann (5.14), 6) Chris Mills (4.99), 7) Darren Mallett (3.00)