Experienced rider Neil Collins guests for Newport Wasps at Sheffield in the Premier League meeting tonight, stepping in for the Welsh club's skipper Craig Watson who is on the road for his weekend date with destiny.

Australian Watson leaves today for the final world championship qualifying meeting in Vojens, Denmark, on Saturday and the top two will join the world's elite next summer on the Grand Prix circuit.

Tim Stone, Newport promoter, by asking the Cheshire-based 42-year-old Collins, proves there is room for sentiment in sport.

Stone, a clear fan of Collins, said: " There are other riders around of equal ability - and may be they could score a couple of more points - but Neil is my first choice.

"It is my way of saying 'thank you' for what he has done for us during the season."

Somerset rider Collins hit double figures in two league meetings guesting for the Wasps, a paid 15 from six rides against King's Lynn in a 50-44 win and a paid 13 from five rides when the Wasps lost to Stoke, second top individual in both meetings.

Stone added: "We are quite happy to have him in the team. He always does a good job for us. I am quite happy to give him as many bookings as possible.

"Quite simply he is a professional, skillful and experienced rider. He has been involved in some of the most exciting racing at Newport this season."

However, in just over a week's time Collins will be doing his level best to lower Wasps' colours, riding for Somerset at the Hayley Stadium in a league meeting a week on Sunday.

l Wasps will be without Dane Mads Korneliussen for Berwick's league visit on Sunday in a double header meeting (tapes up 4pm). He will be back home challenging for his country's Under-21 crown, the meeting being staged in Brovst.

Korneliussen is expected to be among the front runners for the title, but likely to be under heavy fire from Kenneth Bjerre and Coventry's 16-year-old Morten Risager.

The meeting with Berwick will be followed by a Conference League clash between the GMB Mavericks and Swindon and once again the "kids for a quid" scheme will be in operation, so long as they are accompanied by an adult.