Aggregate: Somerset Rebels 98-91 Exeter Falcons Listen to an interview with Magnus Zetterstrom, speaking after the race: The Rebels got off to a flying start, with skipper Magnus Zetterstrom firing from the gate in heat one. Lee Smart again deputised for the Rebels. The reserves were always going to struggle in the wide open spaces of the County Ground. In heat two, the inevitable happened, and the Falcons won 5-1. Exeter pressed home their advantage in the next heat, and their 4-2 win gave them a six-point advantage after three heats. The Rebels held on over the next four heats, as the teams shared them all 3-3. A win for the Falcons With the six-point deficit still intact, and the aggregate match score 78-65 in favour of the Rebels, the Falcons needed to bank some points. They did just that in the next heat, taking an easy 5-1. Somerset team manager Mick Bell wasted no time in entrusting Glenn Cunningham with the tactical ride. Up against the Falcon skipper Seemond Stephens, he made a good start from the inside, and arrived at the first turn level. There aren't many who can resist Stephens in full flow around the first two turns at the County Ground, and this proved to be one of those occasions, with the Exeter man forging ahead. Cunningham easily accounted for Michael Coles and took a 4-4 share of the points. Paul Fry and Ritchie Hawkins took the next heat 4-2 from Lee Smethills and Mark Lemon. Zorro made his worst start of the night in the following heat, just as Ben Powell produced his best. Powell shot from the gates and held the Rebels skipper wide, allowing Stephens, in as rider replacement, to go through on the inside. Powell continued his run around the outside, powering past Stephens in the process. He went on to a fine win, and a Falcons 5-1. The home side repeated the dose in heat 12 with Pavel Ondrasik taking the win from his skipper. The Falcons were now assured of the victory on the night, but the overall win was still up for grabs. Slugging it out Now trailing on the night 45-29, the Rebels needed to score at least eight points to take the overall win. With only three heats left, the task was a tall order. Mick Bell sent Zetterstrom out in heat 13 to do the job. He made no mistake, flying off the inside gate to pull clear by the first turn. Once in front, he easily accounted for the lack lustre Mark Lemon and Pavel Ondrasik. The two points the Rebels needed for overall victory came in heat 14. Ben Powell made another fast start to lead Michael Coles and Paul Fry around the first bend, but the young Australian's engine expired. Lee Smart's machine followed suit seconds later, leaving the two veterans to fight out the remainder of the race. The sight of two riders (who know this track like the backs of their hands) slugging it out over the next three laps was a joy to behold. It ended fittingly with Coles winning a race on his final team appearance at the circuit which he has graced for so many years. The very final heat was a competitive team meeting featuring Lemon and Smethills for the Falcons, and Zetterstrom and Fry for the Rebels. Lemon led from the start, followed by Zetterstrom and Fry. Fry took second place coming off the fourth bend, and the order remained that way until he dropped a chain entering the final two turns, leaving Smethills to take third spot. | 
