SGB Premiership
King’s Lynn Stars 43, Somerset Rebels 47

THE Cases Somerset Rebels produced a stunning performance to secure their third away win of the season at King’s Lynn on Monday evening, writes Ian Belcher.

The match went to a last-heat decider, with Rebels skipper Josh Grajczonek, who dropped just a single point to the opposition from his five rides, winning the final heat to ensure victory went Somerset’s way.

King’s Lynn made the better start to hold a four-point lead after the first two heats, but a Grajczonek/Kerr 5-1 in heat four brought Somerset back on level terms.

There then followed a succession of drawn heats before King’s Lynn got their noses in front again when Robert Lambert and Thomas Jorgensen hit home a 5-1 for the Stars.

But the Rebels immediately hit back, with a 4-2 courtesy of Cameron Heeps and Richard Lawson in heat 11 followed by Somerset’s second maximum heat win of the night.

Lewis Kerr and Wright crossed the finishing line to put Somerset in the lead for the first time.

King’s Lynn brought the scores level again in heat 13 but a maximum 5-1 race advantage to the Rebels in heat 14 meant Somerset would come to the tapes for the final heat knowing that anything other than a 5-1 heat win for King’s Lynn would see the Rebels leave Norfolk with the meeting victory.

Josh Grajczonek, who had played the true captain’s role all night, made a dream getaway from the tapes to control the race from the front to take the race win and, with it, the meeting victory for the Rebels.

Somerset team manager Garry May said: “Coming into the match, I thought we had the chance to come away with some league points.

“The boys rode superbly and Cameron and Lewis stepped up to the plate in a big way, while Charles and Patrick came up with the big points at crucial stages of the match.

“But what can you say about Josh, our captain fantastic!

“He was in absolutely stunning form tonight and it was fitting that he took the race win in heat 15 to make sure we would be heading home with the points.”

Scores
King’s Lynn 43: Thomas Jorgensen 12+1. Robert Lambert 9+2, Michael Palm-Toft 6+1, Tomas H Jonasson 6, Kai Huckenbeck 5+2, Josh Auty 3, Nicklas Porsing 2
Somerset 47: Josh Grajczonek 13+1, Lewis Kerr 12+1, Cameron Heeps 9+1, Patrick Hougaard 7+1, Charles Wright 5+1, Richard Lawson 1, Jake Allen 0.

***

TOMORROW night sees the Rebels host Wolverhampton Wolves at the Oaktree Arena, in a rearranged match.

The fixture was meant to take place on July 28, only for the weather to intervene.

Then, on Monday (August 14), they entertain Leicester Lions in a match which is being televised live on BT Sport.