Having booked their place in the Premier League Knock Out Final for the third time in as many years with their stunning aggregate semi-final victory over Rye House, the Somerset ‘Sharp’ Rebels turn their attentions back to their quest for the Premier League Championship and the visit on Wednesday [27th] of the Edinburgh Monarchs to the Oak Tree Arena, in what amounts to a real ‘top of the table’ clash.

Edinburgh have been hot on Somerset’s heels at the top of the Premier League table all season and so Wednesday’s match could have a real bearing on the final destiny of the league title come the end of the season. 

Edinburgh come to Somerset with an excellent away record, but they will be facing a Rebels team that have yet to have their colours lowered at the Oak Tree Arena in the Premier League this year, so everything points to this meeting as being one not to be missed.

Like Somerset, Edinburgh have built their team this season based on strength in depth with a very solid look about their team right through from 1-7, a moved which has paid dividends for both teams this year.  Unfortunately both teams have injury problems to contend with for Wednesday’s match, Somerset continue to be without Simon Walker, who’s well documented back injury has kept him from the side since the end of June, the Rebels using rider replacement facility in his place.  Edinburgh will be without their number 1, William Lawson, who has not yet fully recovered from a broken collarbone, and Reading’s Mark Lemon will guest in place of Lawson.

Edinburgh will, however, have two riders making their Oak Tree Arena debuts, namely the promising Swede, Tomas H Jonasson, who was third in the recent Swedish national championships, and the exciting American, Ryan Fisher.

Wednesday’s match at Somerset is followed two days later with the sides meeting again, this time at Edinburgh’s Scotwaste Arena, the Rebels then moving on to Berwick the following night [Saturday] to take on the Bandits, although they will be going into that match without the services of Stephan Katt at reserve as he will be competing in the European Grass Track Championship in Holland the same day. 

As the British speedway authorities do not allow any replacement facility for this particular Championship, Katt’s place at reserve for the Rebels can only be taken by a Conference League rider, and in this instance Somerset are calling upon the services of Adam McKinna, who, ironically enough, started the season out as part of the Berwick team.