REBELS AIM TO LEAD BEARS A MERRY DANCE

The Somerset ‘Sharp’ Rebels will be looking to keep their, albeit slim, Premier League play off ambitions going when they face the Redcar Bears at the Oak Tree Arena on Friday [14^th].

Just a single point down from when the two teams met at Redcar’s South Tees Motorsport track earlier in the season, they will be confident of claiming all three points on offer from Friday’s match.  It was definitely a case of that meeting in the North East being one that ‘got away’ as the Rebels led for fourteen of the fifteen races, the only time the Bears actually had the lead was after a dramatic last heat!

Redcar, however, will be no pushovers as they can boast one of the sports all time greats in their line up, namely the 1992 World Champion, Gary Havelock.  Having started out his career with Middlesbrough, life has come full circle for the 38 year old, during which time he has won the World under 21 title, been a two times winner of the British Championship, as well as that World Championship success.

Normally Havelock’s partner at number 2 would be one of the sports up and coming youngsters, Josh Auty, but he is required by Conference League side Scunthorpe for their match at Oxford the same night and so his place will be taken by Conference League guest, Karlis Ezergailis.

At three and four the Bears track James Grieves and American Chris Kerr.  For Grieves his move to Redcar this year has given him a new lease of life as an increase of over 1½ points on his starting average will testify.  Kerr is in his second season with Redcar and is making slow, steady, progress and is tipped as one of best of the new generation Americans in the sport.

Frenchman Mathieu Tresarrieu occupies the number five berth, and is another rider who has made good progress this year after a late start to the season due to a shoulder injury.  His meeting with Somerset’s Stephan Katt will be of particular interest as Tresarrieu recently beat Katt in a run off for third place in the World Longtrack Championship.

Finally at reserve Redcar track two young British riders in Daniel Giffard and Jack Hargreaves, riders who have served a good apprenticeship in their time in the Conference League.

The only concern for Somerset team manager Steve Bishop, is the fitness of reserve Jordan Frampton who was forced to withdraw from Sunday’s match at Newcastle on Sunday after suffering concussion as a result of a three rider spill in heat 8.  Should Frampton be deemed unfit to ride, then Somerset will call upon the services of a guest replacement at number 6.

Provisional Line Up:

Somerset ‘Sharp’ Rebels: 1) Magnus Zetterstrom [c] (10.50); 2) Simon Walker (4.79); 3) Emil Kramer (8.51); 4) Stephan Katt (4.36); 5) Ritchie Hawkins (6.19); 6) Jordan Frampton [r] (4.36); 7) Danny Warwick [r] (4.00); team manager – Steve Bishop

Redcar Bears: 1) Gary Havelock [c] (9.69); 2) Karlis Ezergailis [g] (5.94); 3) James Grieves (8.69); 4) Chris Kerr (5.66); 5) Mathieu Tresarrieu (6.54); 6) Daniel Giffard [r] (3.67); 7) Jack Hargreaves [r] (3.53); team manager – Brian Havelock

The Somerset ‘Sharp’ Rebels will be looking for three more Premier League points towards their Championship play off ambitions when they face the Stoke Potters at the Oak Tree Arena on Friday [7^th].

The meeting will see the return to Rebel colours for their number 1, Magnus Zetterstrom, after serving his one match ban for missing the club’s recent away meeting at Newport.  He comes back into a team’s buoyed by last week’s home victory over the Isle of Wight, but although Stoke are lying in the lower reaches of the Premier League, they could pose Somerset problems by virtue of the three ex-Rebels they have in their line up.

Top of the list is Glenn Cunningham, who spent the previous five seasons thrilling the fans at the Oak Tree Arena with his near legendary outside passing manoeuvres.  Although not retained by Somerset for the 2007 campaign, Cunningham was too good a rider to remain on the sidelines for long and after their disastrous start to the season, Stoke soon snapped up the Bristolian, a move they have not regretted.

Next on the list of returning Rebels is 19 year old Ben Barker.  Although Ben only spent last season riding in the Somerset colours, his all action style soon endeared him to the fans.  Barker spent last year riding at reserve for the Rebels, but 2007 sees him riding in the main body of the Stoke team and turning in some impressive scores, especially at Loomer Road, and recently reached the semi-final stage of the World under 21 Championships.

The final ex-Rebel turned Potter is a rider whose career has been blighted by injury, namely Jamie Smith.  After seriously breaking his leg last year in an early season incident at King’s Lynn when in Somerset colours, Smith returned to the saddle this season lining up with Mildenhall, only to suffer further serious injuries, this time to his heel in another early season crash.  Now fully recovered, Stoke have brought Smith into their line up as replacement for Jack Hargreaves in one of the two reserve berths.

The rest of the Stoke line up has a solid look about it with Lee Complin, making a welcome return to the sport after the youngster’s premature retirement a couple of years ago, and Australian Rusty Harrison being joined in the top five by the young Danish rider, Claus Vissing in his debut season riding in the UK.

Finally, partnering Smith at reserve is the ex Conference League Riders’ Champion, Barrie Evans.

With Somerset winning the away match at Stoke back in May by six points, they will be looking to take all three points on offer from Friday’s match before they make the long journey to the North East on Sunday and their visit to Newcastle’s Brough Park.

Whilst Newcastle have a good home record this season, the Rebels will point to their draw in last year’s corresponding fixture as they look for their fifth away win of the season to reinforce their play off credentials.

Although the new averages for September have come into force, these do not necessitate any changes to the Somerset riding order; Stephan Katt retaining his place in the main body of the team over Jordan Frampton by virtue of the fact Katt’s average is just six thousandth of a point higher than Frampton!

Provisional Line Up:

Somerset ‘Sharp’ Rebels: 1) Magnus Zetterstrom [c] (10.50); 2) Simon Walker (4.79); 3) Emil Kramer (8.51); 4) Stephan Katt (4.36); 5) Ritchie Hawkins (6.19); 6) Jordan Frampton [r] (4.36); 7) Danny Warwick [r] (4.00); team manager – Steve Bishop

Stoke ‘Easy Rider’ Potters:

1. Lee Complin (6.40)
2. Ben Barker (5.77)
3. Glenn Cunningham (7.43)
4. Rusty Harrison [c] (6.39)
5. Claus Vissing (5.74)
6. Barrie Evans [r] (4.21)
7. Jamie Smith [r] (3.67
   Team manager – John Adams

REBELS PREPARE FOR ISLANDERS INVASION!

After successive defeats over last weekend, the Somerset ‘Sharp’ Rebels will be looking to get back to winning ways in Friday’s [31^st] home match against the Premier League’s current in form side, the Isle of Wight ‘Islanders.’ 

Despite some reports to the contrary, Somerset are still in with a good chance of making the end of season Championship play off’s, though their chances were not enhanced with last Friday’s shock home defeat at the hands of Sheffield, followed by the Zetterstrom-less loss at Newport two days later, although the Rebels did come away from the Principality with the aggregate bonus point.

It is by virtue of the aggregate point system that Somerset still find themselves in contention for the play off’s, but they cannot afford any slip up’s akin to last Friday’s home defeat, and so Friday’s match versus the Isle of Wight takes on extra importance.

The Islanders, however, will be looking for victory themselves to not only further enhance their own play off ambitions but to also put behind them the mauling they got at the hands of Rye House on Bank Holiday Monday in front of the Sky TV cameras.

In their top two of Chris Holder and Jason Bunyan the Islanders have the pairing that captured the Premier League Pairs Championship at the Oak Tree Arena back in June.

Add to that duo their Polish rider, Krzysztof Stojanowski and ex-Rebel Glen Phillips, plus their meeting reserve Australian Cory Gathercole, and you now have the quartet who then went on to lift the Premier League Fours title at Peterborough a month later.

Although many may feel that the Holder led Islanders could well come away from Somerset with a win, as Newport found on Sunday, however, there is nothing more dangerous than a Somerset team with their backs up against the wall.

Simon Walker will once again skipper the side in place of Zetterstrom, who will be serving his one match ban for missing Sunday’s match to ride in Poland, and the Rebels have been granted a guest facility in place of their number 1, this being filled by Tai Woffinden, who showed he knew the quickest route to the chequered flag at the Oak Tree Arena when Rye House were recent visitors.

Apart from Zetterstrom’s enforced absence, Somerset will be at full strength for what could prove to be a season defining match for the Rebels.

Provisional Line Up:

Somerset ‘Sharp’ Rebels: 1) Tai Woffinden [guest] (10.69); 2) Simon Walker [c] (4.88); 3) Emil Kramer (8.88); 4) Stephan Katt (4.64); 5) Ritchie Hawkins (6.52); 6) Jordan Frampton [r] (4.59); 7) Danny Warwick [r] (3.95); team manager – Steve Bishop

Isle of Wight ‘Wightlink and isleofwight.com’ Islanders: 1) Chris Holder  (10.03); 2) Cory Gathercole (5.71); 3) Jason Bunyan [c] (8.26); 4) Krzysztof Stojanowski (6.93); 5) Glen Phillips  (6.55); 6) Chris Johnson [r] (5.07); 7) TBC [r] (3.77); team manager – Dave Croucher

REBELS READY TO SHOOT DOWN THE ROCKETS

After a weekend that saw the Somerset ‘Sharp’ Rebels secure another 3 Premier League points with a stunning home victory over Newport as well as picking up the bonus point the following night at Workington, Friday [17^th] sees another crucial match in their quest for a top four Premier League place in order to qualify for the end of season Championship Play Offs.

With Rye House providing the opposition on Friday, it will be a true test of Somerset’s credentials for those Play Offs, the Hoddesdon based outfit also in the mix for a top four place.

Having already won at the Oak Tree Arena in the Premier Trophy at the start of the season, the Rockets will be in confident mood for Friday’s meeting, but the Rebels will be out for revenge for that defeat, though Rye House have posted two away victories already this season in the Premier League.

Despite their relatively poor away form, the Rockets have shown over the years that they have a liking for the Oak Tree Arena circuit, none more so than their number one and captain, Chris Neath who has been a consistent top performer on his visits to Somerset.

An early season injury to the unfortunate Stuart Robson has seen German international Robbie Kessler come into the team to ride at number two, though his participation in the match will depend on whether he has recovered from a recently sustained shoulder injury.  Should he not recover in time, Rye House will operate the rider replacement facility for his absence.

The teenage sensation that is Tai Woffinden lines up at number 3 for the Rockets.  Having started in debut season in the Premier League at reserve for Rye House, such has been the progress of this precocious youngster that he now heads the Hoddesdon averages.

At number four the Rockets can boast one of the more consistent middle order riders in the Premier League, namely Tommy Allen.  Younger brother of Coventry’s Olly Allen, Tommy has made steady progress over recent seasons and is another who has shown a liking for the Somerset track.

The Rye House top five is rounded out by another British youngster with a big future in the sport, Steve Boxall, the 2005 Conference League Riders Champion and runner up to Somerset’s Ritchie Hawkins in the British under 21 Championship the previous year.

Two further young British riders fill the reserve berth for the Rockets, Harlow based Luke Bowen, who is the son of ex-Rye House favourite, Kevin Bowen, and last season’s Conference Riders’ Champion, Adam Roynon, a rider who can boast an average comparable to most second string riders in other Premier teams.

The Rebels have no injuries worries ahead of Friday’s match and are expected to name an unchanged line up for this crucial meeting, where a win is not only vital in their quest for a top four play off slot, but additionally team manager Steve Bishop will be hoping for the team to build up a healthy lead for the return fixture at Hoddesdon the following night.

Provisional Line Up:

Somerset ‘Sharp’ Rebels:
1) Magnus Zetterstrom [c] (10.69); 2) Simon Walker (4.88); 3) Emil Kramer (8.88); 4) Stephan Katt (4.64); 5) Ritchie Hawkins (6.52); 6) Jordan Frampton [r] (4.59); 7) Danny Warwick [r] (3.95);
Team manager – Steve Bishop

Rye House ‘Silver Ski’ Rockets:
1) Chris Neath [c] (7.96); 2) Robbie Kessler [or rider replacement] (5.68); 3) Tai Woffinden (8.12); 4) Tommy Allen (6.70); 5) Steve Boxall (7.84); 6) Luke Bowen [r] (3.14); 7) Adam Roynon [r] (5.64); Team manager – John Sampford

REBELS AIM TO REPEL WASP INVASION

After nearly a month of inactivity in respect of their home matches, The Somerset ‘Sharp’ Rebels will want to continue the winning form they showed against Mildenhall last week when Newport provide the opposition on Friday [10^th] in what will be a dress rehearsal of next month’s Knock Out Cup semi-final.

Friday’s match will be Newport’s second visit of the season at the Oak Tree Arena, although they will want to forget their Premier Trophy visit back in April as it saw Somerset rattle up their biggest ever home win since joining the Premier League in 2002.

Although it has, once again, not been the best of seasons for Newport, they have made little change to their line up over the course of the season, the only difference in personnel being the inclusion of Barry Burchatt who replaced Karl Mason at reserve earlier in the season.

Back at number 1 for the Wasps after a spell at reserve is their Polish rider, Michal Rajkowski.  After struggling to come to terms with riding in the UK, Rajkowski has shown that has all the qualities to make it in British speedway and has shown vast improvement since Newport’s visit to Somerset back in April.

Partnering Rajkowski at number two is another rider in his debut season in the UK, Australian Tom Hedley.  A front runner in last winter’s Australian under 21 Championship, Hedley was brought over by Tim Stone who recognised the youngster’s potential, and the 19 year old has certainly lived up to expectations.

From two riders in their debut seasons in British speedway the number three race jacket is worn by one of the more experienced riders in the UK, namely Phil Morris.  After 13 seasons with Reading, Morris moved to Newcastle in 2005 and then to Elite League Belle Vue the following season before joining his home town club for the 2007 campaign.

Experience is very much the by-word at number four as well for Newport as the position is held down by the Newport skipper, Tony Atkin.  This will be the 41 year old’s fifth season with Newport, this following on from six seasons with Stoke.

The number five position for Newport is occupied by Chris Schramm who was runner up in the 2005 British under 21 Championship to no less a person than current GB star Edward Kennett and was voted Newport's rider of the year last year.

At reserve Somerset fans will see a familiar face in that of Nick Simmons, who rides at number 6, Simmons being a member of Somerset’s Conference Trophy and KO Cup winning team of 2001.  His partner at number 7 being another product of the Rye House junior production line, Barry Burchatt.

From a Somerset perspective, team manager Steve Bishop has no injury worries ahead of Friday’s fixture and can announce an unchanged line up.

Following the main match, the Somerset Giants meet the Coventry Cougars in a British Academy League fixture; the Giants will be looking to avenge their defeat at Brandon earlier in the season with a home win to boost their chances of making it through to the play off stages of the competition.

Provisional Line Up:

Somerset ‘Sharp’ Rebels: 1) Magnus Zetterstrom [c] (10.69); 2) Simon Walker (4.88); 3) Emil Kramer (8.88); 4) Stephan Katt (4.64); 5) Ritchie Hawkins (6.52); 6) Jordan Frampton [r] (4.59); 7) Danny Warwick [r] (3.95)

Newport Wasps: 1) Michal Rajkowski (6.34); 2) Tom Hedley (5.22); 3) Phil Morris (6.32); 4) Tony Atkin [c] (5.20); 5) Chris Schramm (5.55); 6) Nick Simmons [r] (3.68); 7) Barry Burchatt [r] (3.27)

Somerset Giants: 1) Matt Bates, 2) Oliver Gay, 3) Jamie Pickard, 4) James Williams

Coventry Cougars: 1) Kyle Hughes, 2) Adam Chandler, 3) Sam Dore, 4) Danny Greenwood

FEN-TIGERS TEST FOR REBELS

The Somerset ‘Sharp’ Rebels hope to return to action on Friday [3^rd] at the Oak Tree Arena after a three week enforced break when the Mildenhall Fen Tigers provide the opposition.

The last time the home fans witnessed action at the Highbridge raceway was with the visit of Edinburgh on 11^th July and since then the Rebels have succumbed to three successive away defeats, so a return to winning ways is essential in order that Somerset maintain their challenge for a top four Premier League Championship play off slot.

Although Somerset won the away leg of this fixture in Suffolk back in April by three points, victory on Friday is by no means certain, and it is a much changed Mildenhall outfit that will face Somerset, and one that contains three ex-Rebels in their line up.

Mildenhall are a solid septet, and are headed by Canadian Kyle Legault and Dane Tom P Madsen.  Legault has the distinction of being one of the very few opposition riders to head Somerset’s Magnus Zetterstrom to the chequered flag at the Oak Tree Arena this season, this when the two teams met at Somerset in the Premier Trophy at the start of the season.

The top two are well backed up by a middle three of Shaun Tacey, Jason King and Paul Fry.  Tacey is a renowned Oak Tree Arena specialist, but it is the return of Fry that most fans will be looking forward to.  A firm favourite with the Somerset faithful for the best part of three seasons, Friday’s match will be the first time ‘Fryer’ has returned to Highbridge since his mid season signing by the Fen Tigers.

Another telling factor in Friday’s match could be at reserve which sees another returning ex-Rebel, Tomas Suchanek, in the Mildenhall line up.  After a poor start to the season which saw the Czech score just 9 points from 4 home meetings, he was replaced in the Somerset line up by Stephan Katt.  Since his move to Mildenhall, Suchanek has shown more of the form that took him to runner-up in the World under 21 Championship a couple of years ago, and will, no doubt, be out to prove a point to the Somerset promotion

As far as the Rebels are concerned, the new averages for August will see Simon Walker move into the main body of the team and Jordan Frampton replace Walker in the number 6 race jacket.

Following the main meeting the Somerset Giants will face the Swindon Sprockets in a British Academy League fixture.

Provisional Line Up:

Somerset ‘Sharp’ Rebels: 1) Magnus Zetterstrom [c] (10.69); 2) Simon Walker (4.88); 3) Emil Kramer (8.88); 4) Stephan Katt (4.64); 5) Ritchie Hawkins (6.52); 6) Jordan Frampton [r] (4.59); 7) Danny Warwick [r] (3.95)

Mildenhall Fen Tigers: 1) Tom P Madsen (6.94); 2) Shaun Tacey (5.45); 3) Kyle Legault (7.70); 4) Paul Fry (6.50); 5) Jason King [c] (6.24); 6) Mark Baseby [r] (3.00); 7) Tomas Suchanek [r] (4.64)

REBELS TRAVEL TO NORFOLK FOR TOP OF THE TABLE CLASH!

The Somerset ‘Sharp’ Rebels have a break from home action this week as the Oak Tree Arena stages the next round of the British Sidecar Speedway Championship.  Always a popular event with the fans, the event has, in the past, coincided with a Friday night away match for the Rebels.  However this year it gives the team a chance to have a break and recharge the batteries ahead of what will be a season defining next couple of months for the club.

Although they have no home match this week, the Rebels do have an away fixture, and what a fixture that promises to be as they travel to face King’s Lynn, the current leaders of the Premier League, on Wednesday (25^th).

King’s Lynn are the only team so far this year to lower the Rebel colours in the Premier League at the Oak Tree Arena, and so Somerset will be out for revenge.  It will not be easy however, as the Stars are undefeated at their Saddlebow Road track, but Somerset can take heart from the fact that King’s Lynn have not been so dominant in recent weeks, and so an upset could well be on the cards.

An added incentive for the Rebels, if they needed one, could be the comments made by King’s Lynn co-promoter Jonathan Chapman in his pre-season review in Speedway Star back in April when he stated that Somerset would struggle away from home this year.

In securing four away wins so far this year in the Premier League, Somerset are making Chapman rue those words, and there would be no sweeter place for the Rebels to record away win number five than at Saddlebow Road on Wednesday.

Provisional Line Up:

King’s Lynn Stars: 1) Tomas Topinka; 2) Chris Mills; 3) Daniel Nermark; 4) Trevor Harding; 5) Paul Lee; 6) James Brundle; 7) Benji Compton

Somerset ‘Sharp’ Rebels: 1) Magnus Zetterstrom; 2) Stephan Katt; 3) Emil Kramer; 4) Jordan Frampton; 5) Ritchie Hawkins; 6) Simon Walker; 7) Danny Warwick

KRAMER OUT THROUGH INJURY

The Somerset ‘Sharp’ Rebels face crucial Premier League matches at Sheffield tomorrow night [19^th July] and at home to Newcastle on Friday [20^th July] without Emil Kramer who is suffering from concussion following his heat 3 crash at the Isle of Wight last night.

Although Kramer managed to complete the meeting further medical checks confirmed the extent of his injuries and that he will unfortunately miss the aforementioned meetings.

The only facility available to Rebels to cover Kramer’s absence is rider replacement, but as the Swede was second in the team averages, it means that every one of the remaining six team members, including Magnus Zetterstrom, can take one of Kramer’s rides.

It is hoped that Kramer will be fit for Somerset’s top of the table clash at King’s Lynn taking place next Wednesday [25^th July].

BUSY WEEK AHEAD FOR REBEL CAMP

The Somerset ‘Sharp’ Rebels face a busy week of Premier League action as they face three matches in a four day period.  Their hectic schedule starting with an away match on the Isle of Wight on Tuesday [17^th], a track where the Rebels have performed well in recent years, and will be hoping to do the same come Tuesday’s match.

Crucially, the Islanders will be without their number 1, Aussie Chris Holder, who is away on World Cup duties for Australia, but the Isle of Wight have lined up a top guest in the shape of Leigh Lanham who rides in the Elite League for Arena Essex.

Moving on from the Isle of Wight, the Rebels then make the trip up the M1 to Sheffield on Thursday for their Premier League encounter with the Tigers.  Sheffield are one of the clubs vying for a top four play-off spot, but have had an inconsistent season, unbeaten at home, but with only one away victory to their name in the league so far this year.

Sheffield were struck a blow when their number two rider, Ricky Ashworth suffered quite severe wrist and arm injuries in last Sunday’s Premier League Fours at Peterborough, and has been absent from the Tigers line up since.  Unable to bring in a guest, Sheffield have employed rider replacement facility in his absence, and will do so again in Thursday’s match should Ashworth still not be considered fit to ride.

Finally, the Rebels head home to the Oak Tree Arena for what looks on paper to be an entertaining match with the Newcastle Diamonds on Friday [20^th].

With their third place showing in the recent Premier League Pairs Championship held at Somerset, in Josef Franc and Christian Henry the Diamonds have a couple of riders who have an obviously liking for the Oak Tree track, although Henry is currently out of the Newcastle line up due to injury and failure to recover in time for Friday’s match will mean that the Diamonds will use a guest replacement.  

Somerset team manager, Steve Bishop, feels that results this week can go a long way to determining the Rebels push to consolidate a top four position in the Premier League.

“I really feel that we can go to the Isle of Wight and get something out of that match.”  “The fact they are missing Holder is a boost to our chances, though Leigh Lanham will be a good replacement he has not ridden their track for a couple of years now, and hopefully this will tell come Tuesday.”

“As for Sheffield, the team proved last year’s Premier League match in losing by just three points that it is a track we can go and give a good showing, but even without Ashworth Sheffield are still a formidable outfit at Owlerton.”

“I would like to think that we could come back to the Oak Tree Arena on Friday with at least one win under our belt from those two away matches, but if not, then that we’ve kept the scores close enough to give us a good chance of the bonus point when face both the Isle of Wight and Sheffield here at Somerset.”

The Rebels welcome Stephan Katt back to their ranks after he missed the away match at Redcar due to World Championship Longtrack commitments, a Championship where Katt finished fourth in the overall standings.

Provisional Lines Ups:

Somerset ‘Sharp’ Rebels: 1) Magnus Zetterstrom (10.61); 2) Stephan Katt (4.64); 3) Emil Kramer (9.07); 4) Jordan Frampton (4.74); 5) Ritchie Hawkins (6.87); 6) Simon Walker (4.21); 7) Danny Warwick (3.59)

Isle of Wight Islanders: 1) Leigh Lanham [g] (9.87); 2) Cory Gathercole (5.25); 3) Jason Bunyan (8.70); 4) Krysztof Stojanowski (6.67); 5) Glen Phillips (6.57); 6) Andrew Bargh (3.76); 7) Chris Johnson (3.50)

Sheffield Tigers: 1) Ricky Ashworth [or rider replacement] (7.45); 2) Joel Parsons (6.72); 3) Andre Compton (10.07); 4) James Birkinshaw (5.41); 5) Ben Wilson (6.88); 6) Paul Cooper (5.26); 7) James Cockle (3.34)

Newcastle Diamonds: 1) Christian Henry [or guest replacement]  (8.29); 2) Carl Wilkinson (6.20); 3) Josef Franc (7.63); 4) Ross Brady (6.09); 5) Jonas Raun (6.72); 6) Adam McKinna [or Ashley Johnson] (3.00); 7) Sean Stoddart (4.34)

KATT AIMING TO BE TOP DOG!

It is an important weekend ahead for Somerset ‘Sharp’ Rebel Stephan Katt as he attempts to capture the World Longtrack Championship in Marmande, France on Friday.

After two of the three rounds that make up the Championship, Katt has a slender 3 point lead over his nearest rivals, Gerd Riss and Sirg Schutzbach., his elevation to the top of the standings coming courtesy of a win in the second round at St Macaire, in addition to his eighth place in the opening round held in Pfarrkirchen.

With 25 points available to the winner of Friday’s meeting in Marmande, however, it is still anybody’s title and anyone of a number of riders could climb up the championship table to claim the title with a good result on the night.

Katt, though, remains philosophical about his chances of capturing the World crown to add to the European Grasstrack Championship he won last year.

“I cannot worry about what other riders are going to do, I can only go out and ride my own races and see how everything stands at the end of the night.”  “It would be great though if I could return to Somerset for our meeting with Newcastle [20^th July] as World Champion!”

Somerset promoter Mike Golding is hoping that fans turn out in numbers for Wednesday’s home meeting against Edinburgh to give Katt a good send off.

“With the club finishing second in the Fours Championship at the weekend and Stephan heading off to France after our match with Edinburgh in his bid to become World Longtrack Champion, it would be fantastic to see a big crowd at the Oak Tree Arena on Wednesday to show their support for the guys.”  “The fans we have here at Somerset are second to none in the support of the team and its riders, there are even a few travelling out to France to cheer on Katty in his quest to become World Champion.”

REBELS RUNNERS UP IN FOURS CHAMPIONSHIP

For the second year running, the Somerset Rebels claimed the runners up spot in the prestigious Premier League Fours Championship held today at Peterborough.

The team of Magnus Zetterstrom, Emil Kramer, Ritchie Hawkins and Jordan Frampton, plus non riding reserve Simon Walker, came through their semi-final group in second place to take their place in the final.

However, in the final itself, which was run over sixteen heats, the Isle of Wight were the runaway winners, leaving Somerset in a tense battle with King’s Lynn and Rye House for the minor placings.

Going into the last few heats and with the Isle of Wight in an unassailable lead, there was no more than a couple of points separating the Rebels and King’s Lynn for the second step on the podium, but it was Somerset who held on to claim second place.

“This is a great result for the club,” enthused promoter Mike Golding after the meeting, “Given the quality of the field today, second place is something the club can be truly proud of.”

“We are planning a big reception for the guys before Wednesday’s Cup meeting with Edinburgh at the Oak Tree Arena, and I would urge every Somerset fan to turn up on the night to give the riders a homecoming reception they deserve.”

Scores:

Semi-final 1 – King’s Lynn 16, Somerset 15 (Zetterstrom 4, Kramer 4, Hawkins 4, Frampton 3), Glasgow 11, Sheffield 6

Semi-final 2 – Isle of Wight 16, Rye House 13, Birmingham 11, Workington 8

Final – Isle of Wight 38, Somerset 22 (Zetterstrom 8, Hawkins 5, Frampton 5, Kramer 4), King’s Lynn 21, Rye House 15

Report courtesy.Ian Belcher

REBELS ON CUP TRAIL

Following their comprehensive victory over Birmingham last Friday that took Somerset to the top of the Premier League, the attention of focus for this Wednesday’s home match switches to that of the Knock Out Cup.

This eagerly awaiting second leg quarter final clash with Edinburgh is the second attempt to complete the tie, the first being washed out at the end of May, and with both clubs racing their home matches on a Friday night it is only now that a suitable date has come available to restage the meeting.

Somerset put up a tremendous display when the clubs met at Edinburgh in the first leg, only going down by seven points, and given Edinburgh have not been the best of visitors to the Oak Tree Arena in recent years, it all points to the Rebels making through to the semi-finals, but the team will be taking nothing for granted come Wednesday’s meeting.

Ronnie Correy and Theo Pijper are the Monarch’s top two who will have the unenviable task of trying to match the points scoring machine of the Rebels ‘Super Swedes’ Magnus Zetterstrom and Emil Kramer.

Riders do not come more experienced than American Correy, a four times World Finalists and a winner of both the World Pairs Championships [with Greg Hancock] and the World Team Cup with the USA.  After a long and successful time in the Elite League with Wolverhampton, Correy has taken the decision to move into the Premier League for 2007.

Ironically enough, Correy’s place at Wolves was taken by Dutchman Theo Pijper, but things did not work out for this ex European Grass Track Champion and he has returned to Monarch colours, with Edinburgh’s William Lawson moving in the other direction.

Youth is the by word for the remainder of the top five for Edinburgh, with Dane Henrik Moller now in his second season at Armadale together with Falkirk born Derek Sneddon and the only Manxman riding in the Premier League, Andrew Tully.

At reserve, the Monarchs have been missing their Italian international, Daniele Tessari for some weeks now due to a shoulder injury and draft in young Australian Aaron Summers in place of Tessari for Wednesday’s match.  His partner at reserve is another Aussie, Matthew Wethers, a rider of undoubted heat leader capabilities, but one who seems to be struggling for form this season.

Somerset team manager, Steve Bishop, has no injury worries ahead of Wednesday’s meeting and can name an unchanged line up from that which dealt with Birmingham on Friday.

The following evening [Thursday 12^th] sees Somerset return to Premier League action with an away fixture at Redcar, the Rebels no doubt looking to continue the form that has seen them climb to the top of the Premier League table.  With both Somerset’s Stephan Katt and Redcar’s Mathieu Tresarrieu flying out to France earlier in the day for the final round of the World Longtrack Championship, both clubs have been granted special dispensation to use the rider replacement facility. 

However, with Katt having now completed 3 home and 3 away matches in the Premier League his new average will apply which will see the German drop below Jordan Frampton in the ‘pecking order’ and will mean that only Frampton plus the two Somerset reserves, Simon Walker and Danny Warwick will be able to take Katt’s rides.

Provisional Line Ups:

Somerset ‘Sharp’ Rebels v Edinburgh ‘Scotwaste’ Monarchs

KO Cup Quarter Final Second Leg

Wednesday 11^th July

Somerset ‘Sharp’ Rebels
1) Magnus Zetterstrom (10.61); 2) Stephan Katt (4.64); 3) Emil Kramer (9.07); 4) Jordan Frampton (4.74); 5) Ritchie Hawkins (6.87); 6) Simon Walker [r] (4.21); 7) Danny Warwick [r] (3.59).  Team Manager – Steve Bishop

Edinburgh Monarchs
1) Theo Pijper (6.76); 2) Derek Sneddon (6.07); 3) Ronnie Correy [c] (8.44); 4) Andrew Tully (5.80); 5) Henrik Moller (5.83); 6) Aaron Summers [r] (3.00); 7) Matt Wethers [r] (4.36).  Team Manager – John Campbell

BUSY WEEKEND AHEAD FOR REBELS!

The Somerset ‘Sharp’ Rebels will be looking to put the disappointment of last week’s Pairs Championship behind this weekend when they face Premier League new boys, Birmingham, on Friday [6^th] at the Oak Tree Arena, and then travel to Peterborough on Sunday for the Premier Fours Championship. 

The Rebels will be keen to gain revenge over Birmingham in Friday’s meeting, the Brummies became to first team to defeat Somerset on their travels in the Premier League when the two teams met at Perry Barr last week.  However, with only an eight point margin to make up, Somerset will be looking for not only the meeting victory on Friday, but the aggregate bonus point to maintain their push at the top of the Premier League table. Birmingham will be no pushovers, however, as their place in the Premier Trophy Final proves, and have a solid look about them, as well as riders who are known to perform well at the Oak Tree Arena. 

The Brummies are usually spearheaded by the experienced Australian Jason Lyons and Dane Ulrich Ostergaard, both of whom have shown a liking for riding at Somerset.  Unfortunately, Lyons will be absent from the Birmingham line up due the sad passing away of his Father, and the Midlands outfit will bring in a guest replacement to cover. The Birmingham middle order is one that has scored many a valuable point this season, comprising of Emiliano Sanchez, Jon Armstrong and Ben Powell. 
Sanchez has had his moments in the past at the Oak Tree Arena, especially in his Trelawny days, and Armstrong has always been a consistent performer on his visits to Somerset.  For Powell, this sees a move up into the main body of the team from reserve following Aidan Collins decision to have a break from the sport. 
Collins’ replacement, Austrian Manuel Hauzinger comes in at reserve where he will partner ex-Rebel Lee Smart.  For Hauzinger, this will be his third attempt to establish himself in British speedway, his previous efforts at both the Isle of Wight and Newcastle not being that successful. 
Smart, on the other, has come on leaps and bounds since his first foray in the Premier with Somerset in 2005, and will be looking to put one over his former team on Friday. 
From a Somerset perspective, team manager Steve Bishop has no injury worries to contend with and announces an unchanged line up. 

Following Friday’s meeting Somerset then move on to Peterborough for the re-staging of the Premier League Fours Championship that was washed out when originally staged in May. This is an event in which Somerset have excelled in recent years, winning the title on an unforgettable night at Workington in 2005, and then finishing runners up last year when the event was stage, once again, at Workington. 
The Rebels will be represented by Magnus Zetterstrom, Emil Kramer, Ritchie Hawkins and Jordan Frampton, with Simon Walker travelling with the squad as reserve.

Friday’s Line Ups (Provisional) 
Somerset ‘Sharp’ Rebels 1) Magnus Zetterstrom (10.61); 2) Stephan Katt (6.00); 3) Emil Kramer (9.07); 4) Jordan Frampton (4.74); 5) Ritchie Hawkins (6.87); 6) Simon Walker [r] (4.21); 7) Danny Warwick [r] (3.59).  Team Manager – Steve Bishop 

Birmingham Brummies 1) Ulrich Ostergaard (8.80); 2) Ben Powell (4.71); 3) TBC; 4) Jon Armstrong (6.03); 5) Emiliano Sanchez (6.15); 6) Lee Smart [r] (4.00); 7) Manuel Hauzinger[r] (4.17).  Team Manager – Graham Drury