WASPS fans had a glimpse into the future as they face life without Frank Smart next season.

Smart recently announced that he was quitting the British scene and returning home to Perth.

The popular Australian heat leader was absent for the return meeting with the Isle of Wight in the Premier League at the Hayley Stadium on Sunday.

Neil Street, Wasps team manager, said: "You just cannot do without a rider such as Frankie. We are going to miss him.

"Defeat was heartbreaking after doing so well on the island. We almost won there (Wasps lost by a point).

"They have three exceptional heat leaders, and when the conditions got bad they seemed to handle them much better than we did.

"Their second-string riders just got the edge. We didn't have our full team - it was as simple as that."

Tim Stone, Wasps' promoter, simply agreed. "We did miss Frank and they had three good heat leaders."

*Wasps riders were out in force on Saturday night.

Niels Kristian Iversen, riding for Oxford at Eastbourne on Saturday, scored 10 points. Craig Watson gained six points (paid seven) riding for Coventry at home to Poole, while Chris Schramm hit double figures riding for Wimbledon at Stoke in the Conference Trophy.

Schramm top-scored for Wimbledon with 13 points from seven rides - and it could have been better because he suffered engine failure on two occasions.