SPEEDWAY - LAST Friday's Somerset Dickies Rebels big celebration 10 year anniversary meeting fell victim to the incessant rain that hit the Highbridge area late in the morning.

LAST Friday's Somerset Dickies Rebels big celebration 10 year anniversary meeting fell victim to the incessant rain that hit the Highbridge area late in the morning.

Although there was a glimmer of hope that the meeting might go ahead, a further heavy shower meant that track conditions became too dangerous for the riders.

With all the riders who were due to ride in the meeting expressing their desire to ride in any possible re-staging of the event, the Rebels promotion are now looking for a new date that would allow the world-class field that they had originally assembled to return to the Oak Tree Arena.

Despite the poor weather, however, the memorial service for Emil Kramer, the Somerset rider who was tragically killed in a road accident in his native Sweden last December, went ahead as planned and was attended by riders and speedway fans.

The fans were joined by members of Emil's family, including his young daughter, Nelly, who travelled from Sweden.

Last Wednesday's press and practice day was watched by a special visitor, Tessa Munt, the local Liberal Democrat candidate.

She said: "It was great to meet the team, and the club even gave me a Rebels team top to wear for the photo-call, which was really nice - and in my colour too. Being a Liberal Democrat, I am used to being a bit of a rebel, so to be here with the Somerset Rebels is somehow apt for me!"

The Rebels will be hoping for better fortunes as they prepare for their season opening meeting against local rivals the Newport Wasps, this Friday in the first leg of the Severn Bridge Trophy.

Friday's meeting is the start of a busy weekend of action for the Rebels as they travel to Rye House the following evening for their opening fixture in this season's Premier Trophy competition, with the side then making the trip across the Severn Bridge on Sunday for the second leg of the Severn Bridge Trophy.

2010 Somerset Rebels (left to right) back row: Ritchie Hawkins, Sam Masters, Cory Gathercole, Shane Parker Front: Tommy Allen, Steve Boxall, Jay Herne.