- Somerset Rebels
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*eason Summary
The 2008 season saw a major change in the club's line up in that their number 1 for the past three seasons,
Magnus Zetterstrom , was not retained with the Somerset management looking for a more solid line up given the greater emphasis on away wins. He was replaced byJason Doyle who had spent the previous season at Elite League team Poole. After completing their line up, Somerset's plans were rocked with news of an injury sustained byRitchie Hawkins when riding in an indoor meeting inGermany . The injuries were such that they would keep the 24 year old out of the saddle for the whole season. The club moved quickly to sign the experienced American international,Brent Werner , as replacement for Hawkins.A further setback hit the team less than a month before the start of the season when Tom Hedley informed the club that he had decided against riding in the
UK for the 2008 season. With just 5 days left until the Rebels 2008 Season Launch Day, the club signed German Henning Loof as replacement for Hedley.Loof found points difficult to come by, and was replaced by the Rebels management by fellow German Matthias Kröger in mid-April, with Loof moving on to join injury hit team
Mildenhall Fen Tigers .The 2008 season proved to be the best so far in the club's history, finishing second the Premier League behnd the
Edinburgh Monarchs after a season long battle with the Scottish side. The Rebels took the challenge to the final heat of their last league match of the season (at Birmingham) before finally conceding defeat in their quest for a first league title.Additionally Somerset finished runners up in the Premier League Pairs Championship which was held at their own Oak Tree Arena track, and followed that up with third place in the Premier League Fours Championship at Workington.
On the individual front, their number 1, Jason Doyle, finished runner up in the Premier League Riders Championship at Sheffield, this despite riding with shoulder and rib injuries sustained at Sheffield just 10 days earlier in the Rebels league match against the Tigers.
2007 Team
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*2006 Team
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*Club honours
=Conference Trophy=Winners: 2001
=Conference KO Cup=Winners: 2001
=Premier League Four-Team Championship=Winners: 2005 (Team;
Magnus Zetterstrom , Glenn Cunningham, Paul Fry,Ritchie Hawkins , reserve: Chris Mills) [Bamford, R.(2006). "Speedway Yearbook 2006". ISBN 0-7524-3692-9]Individual Honours
Premier League Champions' Chase
Champion:
Magnus Zetterstrom 2005Premier League Riders Championship
Champion:
Magnus Zetterstrom 2006External links
* [http://www.somerset-rebels.co.uk Somerset Rebels Website]
* [http://www.british-speedway.co.uk British Speedway Promoters Association]
* [http://www.jasondoyleracing.com Jason Doyle's Official Website]References
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