The Harry Jordan Lions face a stern test on Saturday with the visit of the Somerset Rebels to Leicester.
The visitors came within a whisker of being crowned 2012 Premier League Champions; in fact it went down to the very last race of the season, only to be usurped by Scunthorpe. They had come close before, four years earlier when the Rebels came second. This time round though it went to a play-off situation and whilst they were again the bridesmaid, Somerset tasted success in the League Cup Final, beating Ipswich on aggregate over two legs.
“The Somerset team are always there or thereabouts in most competitions. They have an out and out number one in Jason Doyle and he receives strong backing from his fellow Australian countrymen Nick Morris and Josh Grajczonek. Along with a middle order of Alex Davies and Kyle Newman the visitors have a solid look about them” commented the Lions co-promoter Alan Jones.
Tipped by many to be the favourites for the Premier League Championship title, the Rebels took a knock to their aspirations when they forfeited their proud home record two weeks ago against Edinburgh. It was the first time that Somerset had been on the wrong end of a result since October 2011.
“Saturday’s match marks the half way stage in our fixtures and another three points are a must have situation. There have been some shocks recently and no doubt there are more to come. Who’d have thought that Somerset would have surrendered their unbeaten home record against Edinburgh, who themselves were still smarting from losing at home the week before to the surprise package of them all, the Redcar Bears. Newcastle winning at Ipswich was another big result for the Diamonds but then in the return match three days later the two teams fought out a draw which was a huge performance from the Witches as you have to go some to get a result up there on Tyneside. Despite losing at home last week, Somerset have not just turned into a non-runner as they have too many quality riders in their side and it would be folly for us to discount them on Saturday” added Jones.
Leicester’s Team Manager Glyn Taylor has named the same riding order that beat Glasgow two weeks ago for the visit of Somerset who sit just one place off the play-off positions and are at full strength apart from their reserve Tom Perry who took ill at the weekend whilst riding for his National League club. Perry’s place will be taken by the former Lions rider Lewis Blackbird.
