A CUP Final is always something to stir the passions in any sports fan, and Friday (September 27) will be no different as the Somerset Rebels stage the first leg of their Premier League KO Cup Final against Rye House at the Oaktree Arena.

The Rebels have already won two trophies this year – the Premier League Pairs Championship and one for finishing top of the Premier League table – and will be keen to build up a good first leg lead in Friday’s match against the Rockets ahead of the second leg at Hoddesdon on October 6.

Rebels promoter Debbie Hancock said: “It seems like every match between now and the end of the season is a ‘big one’, but it is a measure of how this team has performed that were are still in with the chance of two further trophies, what with the KO Cup and the Championship crown itself.

“With Rye’s Olly Allen winning the Premier League Riders’ Championship at Sheffield, beating our own Jason Doyle in the final, will add some additional ‘spice’ to Friday’s meeting, as if a Cup Final needed any more ‘spice’ to stir the fans’ emotions.”

Somerset go into Friday’s first leg missing the Australian duo of Nick Morris and Alex Davies, who will be in the Czech Republic riding for Australia in the Under-21 World Cup Final, something that Somerset had originally hoped to avoid.

Hancock explained: “I know fans will be disappointed that Nick and Alex will not be riding on Friday as they have the honour of representing Australia in the following day’s Under-21 World Cup Final and, while not ideal, I would like to think the fans will still come and support the team in their quest for another trophy.”

l To commemorate the match, the club are looking to produce a special souvenir edition of their match-day programme, which will have extra pages compared to the usual programme together with a glossy cover. It will be on sale for £3.

l Turn to page 46 for news on the Rebels’ play-off opponents in the Premier League Championship semi-finals.