IT’S the first West Country derby of the season for the Somerset Rebels as they face the Plymouth Devils in back to back League Cup group matches over the Easter weekend.

The Rebels host the Devils at the Oaktree Arena on Good Friday (tomorrow) evening before the two sides reconvene at Plymouth’s St Boniface Arena the following night.

Friday’s match will be Somerset’s first home match in this year’s League Cup, after having completed two of their four away fixtures with a win at Peterborough and defeat at the hands of Rye House.

Somerset expect to be at full strength, with Charles Wright who missed Saturday night’s trip to Rye House after suffering a dislocated finger in Somerset’s 45-all draw at home to Poole on Friday night expected to be fit to return to the Rebels line-up.

“There is always something special about a local derby and this one with Plymouth is no different, especially with there being vital League Cup points being at stake,” said Somerset promoter Debbie Hancock.

“On top of that, Friday night will be Jack Holder’s debut racing in the UK, and if reports of the clashes between him and our own Brady Kurtz in Australia are anything to go by, then the fans could be in for a real treat as they watch these two up and coming youngsters go head-to-head for the first time in British Speedway.”

“So we are looking forward to a big crowd, including a lot of travelling Plymouth fans, at the Oaktree Arena on Friday night and then for Somerset fans to make the trip down to Plymouth the following evening to support the Rebels in the return fixture.”