Somerset Rebels 50 Redcar Bears 40 - JUST over a week ago the Somerset Sharp Rebels came close to taking a vital away point at the home of the Redcar Bears, but this time they went one better.

Somerset Rebels 50

Redcar Bears 40

JUST over a week ago the Somerset Sharp Rebels came close to taking a vital away point at the home of the Redcar Bears.

Leading at halfway the Rebels finally succumbed to a strong second-half performance by the Bears, eventually losing out in a last heat decider. There was no such drama at the Oak Tree Arena, as the teams delivered a meeting of top quality, exciting racing.

Heat 1 was shared after Steve Johnston had overhauled Robbie Kessler with Simon Walker in third.

Walker's commitment in the opening heat was the first hint the watching fans were in for an exciting evening, and any doubts were blown away in the Reserves' heat.

Stuart Swales led from the tapes to give the Bears the early advantage, but he was soon joined by Tom Brown, and Simmons held off Arlo Bugeja for the final point.

Ben Wilson led Emil Kramer in Heat 3, but Justin Sedgmen followed Wilson through, and Kramer took an easy third to share the points.

Heat 4 was also shared, Gary Havelock heading Cory Gathercole with Nick Simmons in third. Heat 5 saw the Rebels first full house, Justin Sedgmen and Emil Kramer first and second for a six-point home advantage.

Heat 6 brought Steve Johnston and Gary Havelock in their first head-to- head battle of the evening. Havelock came out on top, but not before Johnston had pushed him all the way with Simon Walker in third to share the points.

In Heat 7, Tom Brown threw a chain on the back straight of Lap 3, and was taken to hospital with a shoulder injury. The latest news is that he suffered a hairline fracture to his left collarbone, and could be out for three to four weeks. In the re-run, Cory Gathercole beat Wilson.

Stuart Swales was disqualified for a re-run of Heat 8, Walker winning with Kessler in second. In Heat 9, the Bears introduced Havelock for a tactical ride, but was passed by Emil Kramer with Justin Sedmen in third.

Heat 10 was shared, Steve Johnson heading Ben Wilson with Carl Stonehewer in third. Heat 11 was also shared with Ty Proctor taking the win for the Bears, with Cory Gathercole in second and Nick Simmons in third..

Heat 12 saw Justin Sedgmen take his second win of the night, ahead of Nick Simmons.

Heat 13 saw Ty Proctor wearing the Black and White, looking for double points, and it proved successful as the Bears took a 5-2 advantage, giving them a shot at taking an away point back to Teeside.

In a re-run of Heat 14 with Swales excluded, Nick Simmons and Emil Kramer made it a full house for the Rebels. Heat 15 ended all square Johnson winning with Sedgmen in third.

For the Rebels, Justin Sedgmen had a fantastic meeting on his return to the main body of the team. Emil Kramer's defeat of Gary Havelock on his tactical ride was a joy to behold, The match sponsors, Crown Carpets had a difficult decision to make for their rider of the night award, and in the end they could not split the pair, so gave it jointly to both riders,.

The next home match will be against Workington in the Premier League on Friday, 7.30pm.