Michael Coles is Exeter Falcons all-time appearance record holder - but he can't wait for the tapes to go up against Newport Wasps, his new club, on Sunday in the Premier Trophy (2.30pm).

The 39-year-old Coles, who made 496 appearances for the Devon outfit, switched tracks during the close season. He declared: "I feel as if I have knocked ten years off my age, I am so enthusiastic."

And in spite of the home turning over by Rye House last week, the Wasps are not lacking in confidence and Coles added: "I really should have gained double figures against Rye House."

He began well enough with two first places and a second in his opening three rides, adding: "I have put my heart and soul into things since moving from Exeter, but it's not all been going my way - but when it does, then look out!

"Mads (Korneliussen) and I had a reasonable time against Rye House and with the team Tim (promoter Stone) has built it shouldn't have happened. One or two could have an off day and we could still win but we had too many having an off day.

"I knew we were in for a tough meeting and it required us all to be firing, but unfortunately we were not.

"Craig Watson is normally Newport's mainstay and you can guarantee double figures from him, but he just had one of those meetings every rider wants to forget."

Exeter's first win of the season was over Somerset on Monday, 51-43 in the Premier Trophy, although Somerset won 95-92 on aggregate for the bonus point.

Seemond Stephens top scored with 14 points and he tracks well at Newport, scoring 13 points from five rides when he guested for the Wasps in an early-season clash with Hull last summer.

Exeter's number one Mark Lemon feels Czech Republic rider Toni Svab, returning from a serious injury, could prove a key figure in their line-up. Lemon said: "He looks great value on his 6.12 average. He looks good for nine points every time and I believe he can add three points to his average."

The Falcons will be operating rider replacement at number three with Slovenian Jernej Kolenko, signed from Oxford, out of action with a broken wrist.

Wasps: Michael Coles, Kristian Lund, Mads Korneliussen, Neil Collins, Craig Watson, Tony Atkin, Karlis Ezergailis.

Falcons: Mark Lemon, Lee Smethills, Jernej Kolenko (rider replacement), Toni Svab, Seemond Stephens, Nick Simmons, Pavel Ondrasik.

The Wasps travel to Reading on Monday in the Premier Trophy.