NEWPORT'S patched-up team continued their run of defeats with this Premier Trophy set-back at King's Lynn last night - but fought hard right to the end to collect the aggregate score bonus point.

Skipper Craig Watson collected 16 points and guest rider Kauko Nieminem, from Workington, weighed in with 15.

They both picked up good wins and earn double points when named for tactical rides, which helped the Wasps recover from a sluggish start and take the honours in the second half of the meeting.

Newport had travelled without Mads Korneliussen who was riding in Denmark and they were not given permission to call in a guest.

However, King's Lynn junior John Oliver stepped in to take the No 1 race jacket and rode steadily picking up a succession of third-place points.

Team manager Tim Stone commented: "With all our problems I was pleased to get the bonus point, although King's Lynn did have a lot of engine failures. Craig did very well for us and the two guests rode well."

With injuries keeping Pavel Ondrasik and Tony Atkin out of action, Stone must have been concerned when reserve Karl Mason fell in Heat 8 and then Carl Wilkinson hit the safety fence three races later.

But both were able to walk away unscathed.

In the early stages it was all King's Lynn who led by 30-18 after eight races, and at that stage Nieminem's win in Heat 7 was the only success for the Wasps. But Stone and his top two riders made good use of the tactical ride scoring to cut the deficit.

The gremlins hit King's Lynn right at the end when Tom Topinka twice pulled up with bike problems, Watson taking advantage to finish with a flourish and give Newport their first bonus point of the campaign.

King's Lynn: Tom Topinka 9 (5), Trevor Harding 6+1 (4), Shaun Tacey 6+1 (4), Adam Allott 9 (4), Tom Madsen 12 (5), James Brundle 6+2 (4), Darren Rolph 2+1 (4).

Newport: John Oliver 4+2 (5), Carl Wilkinson 4 (5), rider-replacement for Pavel Ondrasik, Kauko Nieminem 15 (6), Craig Watson 16 (5), Luke Priest 3+2 (6), Karl Mason 3+1 (3).