SPEEDWAY: Dramatic start to new season as injury to Somerset Rebels' Jake Allen forces Challenge Match abandonment

Somerset Rebels Select 20 Swindon Robins Select 22 (MEETING ABANDONED)  

IT was a dramatic start to the new speedway season for the Somerset Rebels after their Challenge Match meeting against Swindon Robins was abandoned after Heat 7.

Whilst contesting the lead on the fourth turn of Heat 8, Rebels newcomer Jake Allen suffered an ugly, horrible looking fall, when his bike picked up grip, straightened and then dug in, hammering Allen into the handlebars, and pitching him over the top.

He was quickly attended by the medical staff, and was treated on track for a considerable time, before being transferred to the medical room in the ambulance, where again he was treated and assessed, before eventual transported to Weston-super-Mare Hospital by the track ambulance, complaining of severe back pain.

Probably in view of events last year, the waiting crowd - who were kept informed of events - showed fantastic patience and understanding during the long delay, and the eventual abandonment, which occurred as a result of the accident, and the absence of the track ambulance.

The final decision was announced by an emotional Debbie Hancock, after consulting with both team managers, team captains, and meeting referee, Christina Turnbull.

It was an unfortunate end to a promising start, by both Allen and the Rebels in general.

The old guard showed that they have lost none of their verve around the Oaktree Arena circuit, whilst Rohan Tungate, and the three new entries to Premier League racing showed enough that the 2016 ‘Cases’ Somerset Rebels will once again be a force to be reckoned with around their home shale, and elsewhere too.

There was some good news later in the evening, with Debbie Hancock on her way to the hospital to check on the condition of Jake Allen, the man himself posted on his Twitter feed: “Been cleared of spinal injuries just swelling and pain. Thanks everyone for their messages. Hopefully be good soon.” Updates on Jakes condition, and the abandonment, will be posted on the club website when available.