SOMERSET Rebels were crowned Premier League Cup champions after snatching a narrow 95-90 win over Ipswich Witches on Friday.

The Rebels held a 14 point lead from the first leg at the Oaktree Arena but managed to hold their nerve in the 51-42 defeat at Ipswich on Thursday to claim a five point win.It is the first time in the club's history that they have been crowned Premier League Champions since forming in 2000 and joining the Premier League ten years ago.

Any nerves in the Somerset camp were immediately eased in heat one when guest Craig Cook sped from the tapes for a comfortable heat win before Jesper B Monberg won heat three.

After six heats, the Rebels were two points ahead, stretching their overall winning margin to 16 points but Ispwich responded and put the visitors under pressure.

Heat seven saw Ipswich pull back another two points and with Somerset still holding a 10 point aggregate lead and seven heats remaining, things were looking good for the Rebels, but all that was to change over the course of the next 2 heats as Ipswich posted two maximum race wins, cutting the lead to two.

With Ipswich also 12 points to the good on the night, it allowed the Rebels the option of a double point tactical ride, which was immediately confirmed with the hitherto unbeaten Craig Cook donning the black and white helmet colour for the Rebels and he did not disappoint to finish first.

The Rebels looked like securing a maximum win in heat 12 but after a crash, the re-run saw both sides taking three points apiece.

Somerset needed seven points from the last three heats to win, which they got in a heat 14 re-run. They chalked off three points in heat 13, three in heat 14 and despite going into the last heat knowing the title was theirs, Monberg sealed it triumphantly with a win to spark the celebrations.

*THE Rebels take on Scunthorpe Scorpians in the Championship Play-Off Final second leg tonightat 7.30pm. They lead 49-44 after Friday's meeting at the Oaktree.