SOMERSET Rebels have had a mixed week of success and defeat after beating Ipswich but then losing the return meeting between the sides and tasting defeat against Leicester.

The Rebels started well last week with a 50-40 win over the Ipswich Witches despite missing Sam Masters through a leg injury – all in front of a bumper crowd and Sky Sports cameras.

But they were brought back down to earth with a bump in the first leg of the Knockout Cup. After a torrid start to the match, the Rebels left Foxhall Stadium more than satisfied with a 6-point deficit (48-42) to retrieve in Friday’s second leg.

Tom Perry scored some extremely valuable points, following Newman’s withdrawal, and Sam Masters’ performance in scoring seven points when he was hardly able to hobble around the pits, let alone ride in a meeting as competitive as this.

Then on Saturday, the Rebels fell to a 50-43 defeat against Leicester Lions in their Premier League meeting.

Tom Perry was in France contesting a semi-final of the European Grasstrack Championship and Kyle Newman was ruled out by a fracture to his collar bone, suffered during Thursday evening’s Ipswich meeting.

The Rebels continue on the road in their next match as they take on the Sheffield Tigers at the fast Owlerton circuit on Thursday evening before welcoming Ipswich to the Oaktree Arena on Friday. Tapes go up at 7.30pm.