Leaders Rebels crush the Diamonds

Jun 7 2008 by Lawrence Heppell, The Journal

Somerset Rebels 65, Newcastle Diamonds 25

NEWCASTLE Diamonds hit rock-bottom with a depressing 40-point defeat in a drawn-out affair last night at Somerset’s Oak Tree Arena, home of the league leaders.

Things got off to a bad start with Richard Juul crashing out of the meeting, smashing into the air-fence on lap three and being taken to hospital with suspected broken ribs.

The heat was awarded 4-2 to the Rebels, who led 9-3, soon to be 18-6 after the fourth race leaving Newcastle’s three top men, Josef Franc, George Stancl and Christian Henry, with one point between them at that stage.

The following four heats produced three more maximum home 5-1s despite Stancl jetting ahead to lead heat seven, only for first Jordan Frampton and then Simon Walker to soar round him. Jerran Hart was also subject to late passing by Brent Werner in heat eight, setting the score at 37-11.

Following a fine second place from Jason King in heat 10 to restrict the Rebels to a 4-2, and the overall score at 46-14, heat 11 was brought to a premature halt when Frampton lifted and took Franc into the fence. In the re-run it was still a win for Walker in a shared heat, taking the score to 49-17. Following another good ride from Hart to share heat 12, the 5-1s continued with the final score a devastating 65-25 loss.

Team manager George English said: “This should have been a significant improvement on our cup visit here but I have to say it was far from that and a complete disaster which has left us with many questions that need answers now.”

The Diamonds continue a frantic weekend’s action tonight at the Mildenhall Fen Tigers.

Newcastle return home tomorrow with a Premier League meeting with the Stoke Potters at the Newcastle Stadium at 5.30pm.

Berwick Bandits take on the Glasgow Tigers at Shielfield Park at 7pm tonight in the Premier League, using Australian Scott James as their Conference League guest for the injured Scott Smith.

SOMERSET REBELS: Jason Doyle 11+1 , Stephan Katt 10+2, Emil Kramer 14, Matthias Kroger 6+2, Jordan Frampton 8+1, Simon Walker 11+1, Brent Werner 5+2.

NEWCASTLE DIAMONDS: Josef Franc 8, Sean Stoddart 2+1, George Stancl 1+1, Jason King 5, Christian Henry 3, Jerran Hart 6, Richard Juul 0.