Newport Wasps toppled high-flying Workington in the return Premier League match and duly took three points from yesterday's Premier League win at the Hayley Stadium - a perfectly-timed boost.

Wasps, who had lost their four previous league meetings, did not make the most auspicious of starts as Carl Stonehewer, former Wasp Pavel Ondrasik and James Wright won the first three heats.

But life did get better - a lot better - for the Wasps, culminating in a stunning heat 13 success which simply took the breath away and it was rightly dubbed "race of the year" by Newport promoter Tim Stone.

It was brilliant as Mads Korneliussen and guest Stuart Robson outshone Stonehewer, a feat in itself, and small wonder they all exchanged handshakes down the back straight after they had taken the chequered flag.

Many sports could take note of such respect - football in particular. The crowd certainly appreciated the riding skills and excitement as they applauded long and hard.

Neil Street, Wasps team boss, declared: "It was an exceptional race that you rarely see, maybe once a season. It was quite wonderful and it stimulated everyone. That race alone was worth coming to see."

And it was a successful return for Lee Dicken, now beginning another spell at Newport. He went home with a paid ten points from seven rides at reserve and Stone added: "I said he would give 100 per cent, he didn't, he gave 110 per cent."

Dicken said: "I would have liked more points but I am quite pleased because it was a hard, hard match. There were no easy rides and I want to build on that performance. Give me a couple more weeks to get used the track again and hopefully I'll get stronger."

Neil Collins was on course for a double-figure score but suffered mechanical problems when holding second place to Scott Robson in heat 14 - and threatening to overhaul the Workington rider.

Stuart Robson was once again a star guest for the injured Craig Watson, scoring a paid 11 points from five points with number one Mads Korneliussen returning a similar score.

lThere was an unscheduled hold-up before heat four when the pits were invaded by a swarm of wasps - the stinging, buzzing variety.

lShortly afterwards there was even more excitement when it was announced that Stuart Robson - brother Scott was in the Workington line-up - had set a track record by clocking 58.49 in heat four but the record time of 58.58 printed in the programme should have read 58.38 which means Watson's time is still the best.

Wasps: Mads Korneliussen 11+1 (5), Michael Coles (rider replacement), Tony Atkin 8+2 (5), Neil Collins 8 (4), Stuart Robson 11+1 (5), Lee Dicken 8+2 (7), Karlis Ezergailis 2+2 (4).

Workington: Kauko Nieminen (rider replacement), Shaun Tacey 4 (5), James Wright 9+2 (6), Scott Robson 10 (5), Carl Stonehewer 14 (6), Barry Burchatt 1 (3), Pavel Ondrasik 4 (5).