A last-heat draw ensured that Newport Wasps scrambled a Premier League point from the Severnside derby clash against Somerset Rebels at the Hayley Stadium yesterday afternoon.

But it was a close call for the Wasps who led after two heats but then trailed until two heats from the finish. Wasps did not gain a maximum heat success during the 15 heats but for once their reserves outshone the visitors while the meeting marked the return of Tony Atkin, out of action for more than three months with a broken left arm.

Atkin scored five points from four rides - including a heat win - and he said: "I had no expectations. I just wanted to ride.

"I have just got to struggle to the end of the season and for the first time in my career I am taking it as it comes. I simply wanted to get back and get an average. I didn't want to take a year out - not at my age."

The 38-year-old Atkin added: "I was pleased with the heat win." But there was a scare for him as he came out of the pit gates with precious time ticking away a clutch lever bolt coming adrift. But Atkin made it before the two-minute deadline and helped Wasps cut the deficit to two points with his first heat win of the season.

Skipper Craig Watson began in uncharacteristic fashion - failing to score for only the fourth time in league meetings this season when he went down in slow motion at the first bend in heat four. He finally made it back on his machine but in the back straight was clearly unhappy and cut across the centre green.

Watson explained: "There was contact with John Jorgensen - he just tapped me - and I felt there should have been a restart, perhaps giving me the benefit of the doubt. Even if I was at fault it should have been restarted because it affected the other two riders.

"It was just a messy start - no major drama - but I didn't make a song and dance about it because I knew the referee had made her decision and that was it.

"I didn't feel up to proper form after the virus, but I expected that I would not be 100 per cent."

Watson picked up ten points from his next four rides and promoter Tim Stone, who was also team manager in the absence of Neil Street - his Amsterdam flight back home following the Scandanavian Grand Prix delayed - said: "You must remember that it is only a few days after his illness but it is true to say that he was not his usual dominant self out of the gate."

Stone added: "It was a pleasing return for Tony but he's obviously not match fit yet but still did a good job for us but unfortunately Pavel (Ondrasik) was out of form.

"The guys who did the damage were two former Newport riders (Paul Fry and Glenn Cunningham) and 'our guest' (Neil Collins).

Mads Korneliussen started off with three heat wins, including a last-lap victory over Fry, punching the air in delight as he approached the chequered flag. Stone commented: "That was really top riding."

Karl Mason won the second heat as Wasps took a 7-5 advantage and it was also his first Premier League heat victory of the season.

Referee Margaret Vardy from Newhall in Derbyshire was in charge of her first Premier League meeting.

Wasps: Mads Korneliussen 11+1 (5), Tony Atkin 5 (4), Pavel Ondrasik 2+2 (4), Kristian Lund 8 (4), Craig Watson 10 (5), Carl Wilkinson 5+1 (5), Karl Mason 4 (3). Rebels: Glenn Cunningham 11 (5), Jamie Smith (rider replacement), Paul Fry 10 (5), Neil Collins 8+3 (5), John Jorgensen 10 (4), Chris Johnson 3 (5), Steve Bishop 3+2 (6).