SGB Premiership
Somerset Rebels 44, Wolverhampton Wolves 49
League points: Somerset 0, Wolverhampton 3

IT may have been another night of top quality Oaktree Arena speedway action on Friday, but it was one which saw the ‘Cases’ Somerset Rebels ultimately succumb to a third consecutive home defeat of the season, writes Ian Belcher.

The Rebels managed a partial fightback from a big deficit, but could not prevent defending league champions Wolverhampton taking victory by five points.

Wolverhampton hit Somerset right from the off with a maximum race win in the opening heat, though the Rebels clawed their way back into things to bring the scores level after the conclusion of heat four.

But Wolves reasserted their authority on the match, to the extent that Somerset were forced into deploying the double-point tactical ride in heat 11 when Wolves opened up a 10-point lead.

Although the move was partially successful, with skipper Josh Grajczonek winning the race, it still left Somerset seven points adrift with just four heats remaining, Wolverhampton virtually assuring themselves of victory with one heat of the match remaining.

Once again, it was Somerset captain Grajczonek who led the way for the Rebels with a 15-point haul, his only ‘blemish’ being a retirement in his second outing, while reserve Jan Graversen posted his best return of the season for Somerset with seven points from his four rides.

Somerset team manager Garry May said: "It goes without saying that is disappointing to lose at home again, especially after our superb win at Belle Vue on Monday.

"We paid the price for some inconsistent gating and with some below par scores within the team, we just did not have enough firepower to counter Wolves, and all credit to them on their win.”

"We now have to go to Wolverhampton on Monday for the return fixture, after which we have the best part of two weeks before our next home match.

"So before then we will sit down and take stock of where we are with things, before deciding where we need to go from here in order to get back to winning ways."

Result
Somerset (44) - Josh Grajczonek 15, Patrick Hougaard 10, Jan Graversen 7, Rohan Tungate 5, Jake Allen 4, Charles Wright 3+1, Paul Starke 0.
Wolverhampton (49) - Rory Schlein 11, Jacob Thorssell 8+3, Robert Lambert 8+1, Richie Worrall 8, Kyle Howarth 7+2, Ellis Perks 7, Nathan Greaves 0.