Premier League

Somerset Rebels 58, Glasgow Tigers 32

AFTER demolishing local rivals Plymouth in the Knockout Cup last weekend, the Somerset Rebels returned to Premier League action last Friday - and they produced a stunning second-half performance to destroy the Glasgow Tigers.

To be fair to the Scottish outfit, they came to the Oaktree Arena missing their top man, Nick Morris, who had injured his elbow in a nasty crash, whilst guesting for the Rebels in the first leg of the Plymouth tie.

Also missing from their line up was another injury victim David Howe (Shoulder), and Dimitri Berge, who stepped down and left the club last weekend.

The Tigers operated Rider Replacement for Morris, whilst Howe and Berge were covered by Thomas Jorgensen and Richard Hall respectively.

The Rebels were back to full strength, as Brady Kurtz returned to a huge welcome after his World U21 exploits, and with Charles Wright now fully fit after his Redcar fall.

Paul Starke also made the match, after a week of recovery from injuries received in the Sky TV match on Monday.

The meeting closed as it had started, with maximum advantage for the Somerset Rebels, but this time the field went into the turn four abreast.

However that’s as good as it got for the visitors, with the Rebels nominated riders, Charles Wright and Leigh Lanham hitting the front on the back straight.

Richard Lawson took up the chase, but could never get in a blow against a display of superb team riding by Wright and Lanham.

After the first turn, Jørgensen never got in the hunt. Wright led the way home to a closing 5-1, and a 58-32 win on the night.

Although the Rebels had produced a fully in depth performance, especially in the second half of the meeting, it was wholly appropriate that it should be Wright and Lanham closing out the meeting, as they had been top scorers on the night.

Wright had topped out the score card with a superb 12+1 haul, but Lanham had produce a five ride paid maximum of 11+4, something he later admitted hadn’t happened for a long time.

His performance, quite rightly, earned him the ‘Rider of the Night’ award from meeting sponsors - Poole based company, ‘The Utility Advice Bureau’.

Lanham attributed his resurgence to riding in a great team, and praised his fellow riders, as a great bunch of guys, who had a good time and a laugh with each other.

He stated that he was thoroughly enjoying his time as a Rebel.

Brady Kurtz marked his return to the team by also posting a paid maximum, this time a four ride one, with 11+1.

The Rebels next track action will be next Friday (July 24), when Ipswich will provide the opposition.