Tim Stone, Newport speedway promoter, believes he has got the right formula to ensure stability for the Maver-icks in the Conference League.

He has nurtured young riders and the talented teenage duo of Sam Hurst and Billy Legg are now on full contracts, making them Newport assets, placing the team emphasis on youth.

The Conference League has already suffered a double blow with both Newcastle and Swindon deciding not to run this summer and Carmarthen's future, after three seasons, is still very much in the melting pot.

The Mavericks, with the exception of captain Scott Pegler, are a youthful team but they will be boosted by the inclusion of 16-year-old Jamie Westacott who has decided to have a full season of Conference riding and not bother with Premier action at Reading, his parent club.

Stone said: "The fact that Swindon - an Elite League club - and Newcastle are not running because of the costs shows just how much we have bitten the bullet to keep things running.

"At the stand-alone clubs, who must win at all costs, riders like Sam and Billy would have been thrown away. While success is everything to those clubs we can persevere with raw talent and we have seen these young riders progress and this is grass-roots speedway at its best.

"We have watched 15-year-old riders become young men and ready to ride for Newport speedway. It's hard for us but it just shows the commitment we have and I just hope that people appreciate what we are doing when you see other clubs ditching their Conference teams."

The Mavericks unfortunately couldn't avoid the Conference wooden spoon - something they will be looking to pass on this coming season.

l Newport's Craig Watson reached the final of the New South Wales Championship at Gosford, gaining a 15-point maximum, but in the grand final he was headed by Adam Shields.

That was another disappointment for Watson who had earlier this month finished second to Jason Crump in the final of the Mick Poole Open on the same track after qualifying with 18 points, two behind Crump.