THE SOMERSET Rebels must overcome a six-point deficit on Tuesday evening if they are to progress to the semi-finals of the Premier League Knock Out Cup.

They face the Workington Comets at the Oaktree Arena in the second leg of the contest, following a narrow 46-42 defeat in a weather delayed first-leg.

Somerset’s hopes of keeping things tight took an immediate hit when they were on the wrong end of a maximum 5-1 heat score in the opening race as Rebels’ skipper Jason Doyle was excluded, when coming to grief in trying to avoid Workington’s Kyle Howarth, who had locked up in front of him on the final bend.

Workington showed just why they can boast a 100% home record this season as they gradually applied the pressure to establish a 10-point lead over Somerset as the match reached its halfway stage. But the Rebels refused to yield and in a show of great strength and character, fought back over the 2nd half of the meeting to keep the Comets in check.

The Rebels headed into the final heat knowing that a 4-2 win would leave them just two points behind heading into the second leg, but Skipper Doyle fell on the second bend, to keep the deficit at six points.

Despite the defeat, Team Manager Garry May was pleased with the way his side performed on the night. He said: “I said beforehand that we were looking to come here and win, but if not, then to keep things tight ahead of the 2nd leg.

"If you had offered me a 6 point loss before the match got underway then I would have happily taken that. the boys fought well to keep things in check after Workington started to get up a bit of a head of steam. This tie is far from over, however, and although some might see us as favourites to go through to the semi-finals, Workington are a strong side and we will need to be on top form on Tuesday night if we want to book our place in those semi-finals.”

The cup defeat followed another closely fought defeat, as the Rebels lost out 46-44 to the Edinburgh Monarchs in front of the Sky Sports Cameras last Tuesday. A maximum 5-1 defeat in heat 14 all but sealed the contest for the Monarchs, with the Rebels needing a full-house win in heat 15 to take the points. But they could only manage a draw, as Edinburgh’s Craig Cook pipped Jason Doyle to seal the win.