AFTER a month of relative inactivity the Somerset Rebels enter a period of seven matches in 11 days, beginning with tonight’s visit to Ipswich.

The Rebels face six league fixtures together with a Championship meeting in a jam-packed programme – and will be looking to erase the memory of their 40 point reversal on their last visit to Foxhall Stadium in the Knockout Cup.

Following their visit to Suffolk, the Rebels return to the Oaktree Arena on Friday evening for the visit of the Plymouth Devils with the return fixture at the St Boniface Arena the following night.

The team then have a day off on the Sunday before back-to-back matches against Sheffield on Monday at Owlerton – the sides reconvene at the Oaktree Arena the following (July 29) night.

The Rebels then round off their busy spell with a home match against Ipswich on the Friday (August 1).

Somerset team manager Garry May said: “It would be true to say that was not one of our better nights, but that is now consigned to the history books and we will be looking to put in a better performance come Thursday night’s match.

“It’s a bit like waiting for that proverbial bus, nothing for ages then loads come along all together, but whilst it will be quite a tough schedule I know the boys will be up for it as we look to maintain our aim of a top six finish to ensure our place in the Play Offs.

“While we beat Plymouth on our recent visit there, they have made a number of team changes since then, but then again, we’ll have Nick [Morris] available this time around, so I don’t think you can read anything into what happened on that occasion.

“The two matches against Sheffield should be exciting affairs, especially with Sheffield having also strengthened up of late and the match at their place being on Sky TV.

“On top of all that we have the Fours Championship at Peterborough on the Sunday after our home match against Ipswich, it being a meeting that I think we stand as good a chance as anyone of doing well in after we finished 3rd last year with what was a depleted quartet.

“So all in all, whilst it is a busy time for all concerned at the club, the Somerset fans certainly have a lot to look forward to over the course of the next couple of weeks or so.”

Forthcoming Fixtures: Thursday, July 24, Ipswich away; Friday, July 25, Plymouth home; Saturday, July 26, Plymouth away; Monday, July 28, Sheffield away; Tuesday, July 29, Sheffield home; Friday, August 1, Ipswich home; Sunday, August 3, Premier League Four Team Championship at Peterborough.