The Somerset ‘Sharp’ Rebels have left themselves a difficult, though not impossible task against Edinburgh on Wednesday [8th] if they wish to progress through to the Final of the Premier League Promotion Play Offs.

A 57-36 defeat at Edinburgh’s Scotwaste Arena last Friday leaves the Rebels needing victory by at least 22 points in Wednesday’s second leg at the Oak Tree Arena if they wish to deny the newly crowned Premier League Champions a place in the final against either King’s Lynn or Rye House.

Although obviously disappointed by the final  margin of defeat, it does give the Rebels a fighting chance of winning through on aggregate, even though Edinburgh only lost by four points in the Premier League match at the Oak Tree Arena back in August.

The Rebels will point to the fact that as far as league matches were concerned, a win is win, no matter the final margin of victory, but when aggregate scores have mattered, namely in the Knock Out Cup, Somerset have more than proved their worth, winning through to the final of that competition for a third successive year.

Edinburgh will, no doubt, take heart from that narrow league defeat at Somerset and will feel that although Somerset are a different proposition on their own track, they are more than capable of defending their 21 point lead.

The Monarchs will have their number 1, William Lawson, back in the side, the Fife based Scot having missed Friday’s first leg encounter due to his participation in Saturday’s World under 21 Championship in the Czech Republic.

They will, however, be without the services of their exciting Swedish rider, Thomas Jonasson, his season ending prematurely due to a badly broken ankle which he sustained in the recent Swedish under 21 Championships.  Edinburgh will employ the rider replacement facility for Jonasson, and all bar Lawson from the remaining six riders will be eligible to take any of Jonasson’s programmed rides.

“To pull back 21 points will be difficult, but is not beyond us,” said Somerset promoter Mike Golding, “but hopefully there will be a big crowd at the Oak Tree Arena for Wednesday’s second leg, and with their magnificent support, who knows what we might achieve!”

Wednesday’s meeting will also provide the Somerset fans with the opportunity to vote for their Rider of the Year, Most Improved Rider of the Year and Most Entertaining Rider of the Year.  The results of the votes cast and the presentation of the awards will be made at the club’s Presentation Night on Saturday 1st November.