The Somerset ‘Sharp’ Rebels produced a comeback of Lazarus proportions in snatching a last heat win at Newcastle tonight (Sunday). 

After drawing at Brough Park less than a month ago in the Knock Out Cup, Somerset hopes were high for them to go one better and record their second away win in the Premier League.

The Rebels were, however, on the back foot right from the off and soon found themselves 8 points in arrears after the opening three heats.  They steadied the ship, ensuring the Diamonds did not build upon their early advantage, drawing the next 5 races, but were then dealt a body blow as Newcastle hit in with a maximum 5-1 heat advantage in heat 9 and a further drawn heat in the next race, the home side thwarting Somerset’s Emil Kramer’s use of the tactical ride, saw the Diamonds 12 points to the good with just 5 heats remaining.

Gradually, though, the Rebels clawed their way back into the meeting, but with just the final two races left, they still had an eight point deficit to make up and it looked as though Newcastle would hold on for the win.  The Diamonds had not reckoned on the ‘never-say-die’ attitude of the 2008 Rebels as Somerset’s Jason Doyle produced the ride of the season by coming in as a tactical substitute and making light of his 15 metre handicap to storm to a double point winning victory.  With Somerset skipper Simon Walker picking up a valuable point for 3rd place, it left the Rebels just 3 points in arrears with the final heat looming.

Nothing less than a maximum 5-1 heat win would do for Somerset if they were to take the most unlikely of wins, but nothing was going to stop the Rebel duo of Kramer and Doyle as the sped from the tapes to not only take the lead in the match for the first time all night, but with it the victory and three more Premier League points that keeps them firmly at the top of the Premier League table tonight. 

Newcastle Diamonds;
1) Josef Franc 12+2 (6r); 2) Richard Juul 4 (4r); 3) Rider Replacement – George Stancl; 4) Jason King 11+1 (5r); 5) Christian Henry 12+1 (6r); 6) Jamie Robertson 1 (5r); 7) Sean Stoddart 7+1 (4r)

Somerset Rebels;
1) Jason Doyle 19+1 (6r); 2) Stephan Katt 1 (3r); 3) Emil Kramer 13 (5r); 4) Matthias Kröger 1+1 (3r); 5) Jordan Frampton 4+1 (4r); 6) Brent Werner 9+1 (6r); 7) Simon Walker 1 (3r)