THE Somerset Rebels crashed to a 54-37 defeat at Hoddesdon, the home of the Rye House Rockets on Saturday.

The Rebels’ performance, Leigh Lanham apart, was what could only be described as lacklustre at best and a shadow of the one they produced in defeating Peterborough a week earlier.

If they are to progress in this competition, they have to improve a long way on this showing, and ensure that it never happens again.

They will have the chance to show their mettle, when they take on the Plymouth Devils at the Oak Tree Arena on Good Friday, with the return fixture the following night at the St Boniface Arena.

Friday was a better evening for the Rebels as they kicked off the 2015 season at Oak Tree Arena with a 45-45 draw against a Poole Pirates select team.

Josh Grajczonek again gave a captain’s performance, dropping just a single point to an opponent, as he posted a 12+2 haul for the home side.

Brady Kurtz supported with a 12-point total, and Richie Worrall showed he was finding his Oak Tree Arena feet, with 8-points, including two wins on his home debut.