Newport Wasps first aim of the new season will be to qualify for the semi-finals of the Premier Trophy.

Their first hurdle to clear is a home meeting with Reading tomorrow (tapes-up 2.30pm). The Premier League, once again, has been split into north and south sections with the top two qualifying for the last four.

Wasps return Premier Trophy meeting with the Racers is at Smallmead on April 25.

And the two teams will see a great deal of each other throughout the season. Apart from league matches they also meet in the Knock-out Cup. Tim Stone, Newport promoter, said: "We know that Reading have a quality heat leader trio but then again so do we."

Wasps figured in an opening thriller with Somerset last Sunday, gaining a last-heat maximum victory, taking a slender lead into last night's return at the Oak Tree Arena.

Craig Watson scored a five-ride maximum and Mads Korneliussen, his partner in the final heat, returned a paid 14.

Stone added: "Craig dominated proceedings and Mads was very good and you looked at Michael Coles' scorechart and had to say 'did he only get six? ' because it seems like he'd scored lots more.

"It was good to have a winning opening display in a typically fiery local derby and we now have a couple of meetings under our belts so the schedule isn't particularly demanding."

The Reading trio of Danny Bird, Matej Zagar and Andrew Appleton will undoubtedly pose a threat to the Wasps but their all-round strength should make sure of a home win.

A surprise in the Reading line-up is Jamie Westacott who was planning a season of just Conference League riding with Newport.

But when the call came this week from promoter Pat Bliss the 16-year-old Newport-based rider jumped at the chance. And the following day he rides in a challenge match at Reading, lining-up with Phil Morris - now at Newcastle - in a ex-Racers team.

Reading-asset Westacott said: "It will be a good experience for me. I know it is going to be really tough but I am really looking forward to it. Hopefully, "I can pick up a couple of points or so in both meetings - and that would be really good. Being in with the big boys is a boost to my confidence."