FANS of the Somerset Rebels could be forgiven for thinking that Hallowe’en has come early as they face both Devils and Witches at the Oaktree Arena this week.

First up on Wednesday evening is the visit of local rivals, the Plymouth Devils, before the Ipswich Witches fly into the Oaktree Arena on Friday (22nd) night in a fixture which originally fell afoul of the weather at the start of the month.

Plymouth have not had the best of seasons, currently languishing in the lower reaches of the Premier League table, but while local derbies are no respecter of form Somerset should be confident of adding the maximum three league points to their current 48-point tally.

Friday night’s opposition, the Ipswich Witches, are vying for a top six finish to qualify for the championship-deciding play-offs, their win at Rye House on Saturday night having done their chances of achieving that aim no harm at all, and should provide the Rebels with a stern test with the Witches having run into a good vein of form of late.

“The boys had an excellent weekend on our Northern Tour, having secured 5 league points to keep us at the top of the Premier League, but though we have a 100% home league record we can take nothing for granted with the visit of Plymouth and Ipswich to the Oaktree Arena this week,” said Somerset team manager Garry May.

“Plymouth have riders who are capable of scoring well at the Oaktree Arena, while Ipswich are in a good run of form and will want to pick up points in order to boost their chances of making the play-offs, so neither match will be easy, but if we maintain our focus I’d like to think we can collect the maximum six league points on offer.”

Following Friday’s match against Ipswich there will be a six-heat second half featuring some of the British Youth 125cc and 250cc riders.