STOKE Easy Rider Potters edged their way into the Young Shield semi finals gaining a
95-92 aggregate victory over the Somerset Rebels at the Oak Tree Arena on Friday night despite the Rebels taking victory 49-43 on the night.

 Easy Rider Potters number one Jason Bunyan got the Potters off to a flying start in heat one as he took victory after passing Simon Walker in heat number one but unfortunately for the Potters his partner Jesper Kristiansen was unable to fight his way past home skipper Steve Johnston for a drawn heat.

He following three heats finish all square to keep the scores level at twelve points each as the Potters continue to fill the minor placings in heats two and three with Tom P Madsen taking victory for the Potters in heat four to keep their nine point aggregate lead in tact in the early stages of this young shield quarter final tie.

Somerset break the deadlock in heat five as Emil Kramer took victory from Bunyan who chased the Swede for the four laps but was unable to find a way past the home rider with Jari Makinen taking third place from Kristiansen for a Rebels 4-2 heat advantage. The Rebels gained a further 4-2 heat win in heat six as veteran Steve Johnston overhauled Robert Ksiezak to take the chequered flag with Walker taking third place for the Rebels. Somerset take control of the meeting with maximum points from Cory Gathercole and Justin Sedgmen who both pass fast starting Dane Klaus Jakobsen to open up an eight point lead for the Rebels with the score 25-17 at the halfway stage of the meeting and just one point separating the two sides on aggregate.

Somerset manager Steve Bishop brings in Justin Sedgmen as a reserve replacing Nick Simmons in heat eight as the Rebels boss attempts to pile on the pressure but the move fails as Sedgmen is relegated to last place, as the Potters pairing of Kristiansen and Madsen make a superb start but both are past on the first lap by home rider Walker who takes the flag ahead of the Stoke pair for a drawn heat.

 Stoke’s Robert Ksiezak who has been out of form of late for the Potters made a good start in heat nine and held off Emil Kramer who was all over the Potters riders back wheel for the whole four laps Ksiezak taking the chequered flag by half a bike length for a superb victory for the Stoke rider for a second successive drawn race the Potters remain eight behind though as the Rebel’s lead 31-23 after nine heats the Potters still hold the aggregate lead by just a single point.

Jakobsen, Bunyan and Madsen take victory for Stoke in the next three races but with Rebels riders taking the minor placings the Potters make no headway into Somerset’s eight point lead, the Potters though still hold the advantage on aggregate by a solitary point with three heats remaining.

 It was unlucky thirteen for the Potters as Steve Johnston defeats Bunyan and with Gathercole overhauling Ksiezak for third place Somerset gain a 4-2 race win to open up a ten point lead and to go in front by one point themselves on aggregate.

 Stoke team manager John Woolridge wastes no time as he brings in skipper Lee Complin as a tactical ride in heat fourteen. The Potters skipper leads before being passed by Kramer on the second lap and it looks like it will be a drawn heat but Madsen passes home reserve Sedgmen coming off the final bend to grab third place for a Potters 5-3 heat advantage, the Rebels lead 47-39 on the night with Stoke back in front on aggregate by a single point going into the final race.

 Tom P Madsen made a superb start in heat fifteen and held off the challenge of Kramer on the outside before Johnston took second place and Bunyan passed the Swede on the last lap to give the Potters a 4-2 heat advantage giving Somerset a 49-43 victory on the night but sending the Potters through 95-92 on aggregate.

 Team boss John Woolridge said “I’m delighted with tonight’s performance everyone played their part and battled right from the start and I cannot speak highly enough of any of them. “Tonight proved we can beat anyone over two legs and now we look forward to the semi final.”

 Potters number one Jason Bunyan who rode through the pain barrier to score eleven points said “That win was for the supporters from all the team. “I’m delighted we have made it through to the semi finals and it shows we can beat anyone over two legs, this is a superb result for the team and the club, I’m absolutely delighted.”

Promoter Dave Tattum said “I’m absolutely delighted for everyone connected to the club the team have done us all proud, everyone chipped in with points tonight and every point was vital. “I asked the lads to give a big performance over the two legs and they have come up with the goods and I could not have asked for anymore. “We now look forward to the semi finals and wait to hear who we are against next.”

 Somerset 49: Emil Kramer 11, Steve Johnston 10+2, Simon Walker 8, Cory Gathercole 8, Justin Sedgmen 6+2, Jari Makinen 4+1, Nick Simmons 2+2

 Stoke 43: Tom P Madsen 12+3, Jason Bunyan 11, Klaus Jakobsen 6, Lee Complin 5+1, Robert Ksiezak 5, Jesper Kristiansen 2, Craig Branney 2