THE Somerset Rebels have a busy few days ahead of them with back-to-back Premier League matches against local rivals the Plymouth Devils.

They take on the Devils tomorrow evening (Friday) at the Oaktree Arena, before the sides reconvene the following night at Plymouth’s St. Boniface Arena.

This is followed by the Premier League Fours Championship at Peterborough on Sunday afternoon, a competition in which the Rebels are the defending champions

Somerset scored a ‘double’ over the Devils in the Knock-Out Cup encounter between the two sides earlier this month, winning 53-37 on home shale before recording a 50-40 win in the second leg at Plymouth just 24 hours later.

The Rebels went into both of those Cup matches without their number one, Brady Kurtz - who was away competing in the first round of the World Under-21 Championship - and Charles Wright, who was side-lined due to injury.

But they will go into this weekend’s league matches with a full septet as they look to keep themselves in the hunt at the top of the Premier League table.

Somerset team manager, Garry May said: “Although we were well served by our guest replacements for Brady and rider replacement for Charles, there is nothing quite the same as having your full team fit and raring to go.

“While the two Cup matches against Plymouth count for nothing as far as this weekend’s fixtures are concerned, it can give you a bit of a psychological edge, but with Plymouth strengthening up for Saturday’s return match that does obviously put a different complexion on things.

“However, in saying that the boys have shown in recent weeks that they are very much on-song and riding well, so we will be looking for all 3 points from our home match on Friday as well picking up points from Saturday’s match back at their place.”

“Looking at the line up’s for the ‘Fours’, I think we have as good a chance as anyone of winning,” May said, “but it is the type of meeting where one piece of bad luck, especially in the semi-final round which consists of just 8 heats, can really scupper your chances of progressing through to the 12-heat Grand Final.

“The main thing is to avoid running those last places and to keep your side of the score-chart continually ticking over and we should be there or thereabouts come the final reckoning as we strive to keep the Fours trophy residing at the Oaktree Arena.”