SOMERSET's hopes of extending their lead at the top of the SGB Premiership table were washed out in Manchester on Monday night, leaving the Rebels facing a fixture headache.

The current dry spell ended emphatically with intense rain, which began falling around 7pm.

With the BT Sport television crew in attendance to broadcast the meeting, a decision was taken to delay the scheduled start to around 8.10 but the weather worsened, leaving only one possible verdict.

The Rebels, who have an outstanding home fixture against King's Lynn to reschedule, now have to find a suitable date to revisit Belle Vue, the side they are due to meet in the Knockout Cup in September.

Next up for Somerset is another away match, at Swindon Robins on Thursday.

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TWO big sporting giants, the FIFA World Cup and the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, have come and gone but British Speedway is now building up to its biggest weekend of the season - the Cardiff-staged British GP on Saturday preceded by the SGB Championship Pairs at Somerset's Oaktree Arena on Friday night.

Having been robbed by the weather last season, Somerset promoter Debbie Hancock is looking forward to delivering a night at the Oaktree to whet everyone's appetite for the Grand Prix.

Hancock said: "We have one of our own in Jason Doyle competing on Saturday at Cardiff but Rebels fans will also have plenty to look forward to on Friday.

"Richard Lawson (Lakeside), Jake Allen (Scunthorpe) and Nico Covattil (Ipswich) will all represent their Championship clubs and we are determined to put on a good show as we know speedway fans from near and far will be wanting to 'call-in' en-route to Cardiff.

"Over the years, we have made this a big weekend and this year we will be having the added attraction of a BMX demonstration on the infield.

"We can also announce that Doyley will have a merchandise store on site so his fans, be they Rebel supporters or otherwise, can purchase products from his latest range just in time for his Cardiff exploits."

With face painting, tuck shop and the hospitality of the Oaktree clubhouse, there will be something for all ages ahead of the Pairs event which will get under way with its parade at 7pm; stadium admissions from 5pm.