SGB Premiership
Swindon Robins 54 (3), Somerset Rebels 35 (0)

THE ‘Cases’ Somerset Rebels endured a torrid Monday night at league leaders Swindon, getting off to the worst possible start even before a wheel had been turned, writes Ian Belcher.

The Rebels went into the match minus the injured duo of Patrick Hougaard and Cameron Heeps.

They were also without the in-form Lewis Kerr who had a prior riding commitment with Scunthorpe, his Championship side.

The Leicester duo of Lasse Bjerre and Kyle Newman were brought in as guest replacements but Bjerre stated he was no longer able to ride for the Rebels, forcing them to go into at least three heats with just one rider.

Worse was to follow when Jake Allen suffered a couple of falls in his first two rides, aggravating a wrist injury, and forcing him to withdraw from the match.

Now down to just four riders, it was to Somerset’s credit they did not totally fold, the surviving quartet of skipper Josh Grajczonek, Charles Wright, Richard Lawson and guest Kyle Newman, battling manfully in what was an impossible situation.

Somerset team manager Garry May said: “With the late cancellation and Jake's injury it was ‘mission impossible’ for us.

“I'd like to thank Kyle Newman for battling away for us as guest replacement for Lewis [Kerr] and to praise our three surviving Rebels - Josh, Charles and Richard - who never gave up and made Swindon fight for every point.

“I would like to apologise to the Somerset fans who made the trip up to support the team - they must be feeling pig sick, and who can blame them.

"It was a very difficult night for us all.”

Scores
Swindon (54): Nick Morris 13, Jason Doyle 11, Adam Ellis 9+3, David Bellego 8, Tobiasz Musielak 6+1, Mitchell Davey [guest] 6, Todd Kurtz [guest] 1.
Somerset (35): Josh Grajczonek 12, Charles Wright 11, Kyle Newman [guest] 7+2, Richard Lawson 5, Jake Allen 0, Cameron Heeps N/S, Patrick Hougaard R/R.