THE Somerset Rebels will be staging two home matches this week as Sheffield are the visitors to the Oaktree Arena on tomorrow night, before Ipswich then provide the opposition on Friday.

Somerset will be looking to continue their excellent home record to off-set recent away defeats at Ipswich and Plymouth in order to maintain their push for a top six league placing which will see the team qualify for the Championship-deciding Play-Offs, the Rebels being the defending League Champions.

“We currently sit fourth in the Premier League with games in hand on the clubs above us,” said Somerset team manager Garry May, “so maximum points from our two home matches this week against Sheffield and Ipswich will see us gain some ground and move us up a place or two.”

“The first priority is to ensure a top 6 finish in order to qualify for the play offs, but finishing the regular league season in either first or second position will give us the added advantage of being able to pick our opposition in those play offs.”

“The foundation, therefore, must be a good home record, and although our away form has dipped of late, if we can pick up any points from our remaining away matches, then so much the better.”

Somerset have an early opportunity to gain some away points as they travel to Sheffield tonight to face the Tigers before the two teams reconvene at the Oaktree Arena tomorrow night.