NEWPORT WASPS 44 READING RACERS 46

Battling Newport Wasps have given themselves a chance of overturning a two-point deficit against Reading Racers in the return leg of the three-team M4 Trophy at Smallmead tonight.

But, at one stage, Racers threatened to run away with Wasps opening meeting of the season at Hayley Stadium in front of a bumper crowd, one fan making the trip from Norfolk.

After four heats, Wasps trailed by ten points and, with two races left, the gap was two points following a maximum from skipper Craig Watson and Frank Smart.

But Wasps just couldn't save themselves, Racers winning the penultimate heat 4-2.

Smart won the final heat but unfortunately Watson was edged out by Scott Smith, the former Wasp.

The crowd did not have to wait long for fireworks in an action-packed meeting where so many riders, for differing reasons, had a point to prove.

Hard-riding Smart was excluded from heat one after a fall in which Reading's Phil Morris, from Cwmfelinfach, also bit the dust. Smart carried the can for the tumble as Racers opened with two maximum heat wins.

But four heats later, Morris was excluded and suffered the recurrence of a knee injury which meant that he took no further part in the meeting and could miss the return.

Young Dane Niels Kristian Iversen drew a blank in heat three but finished with seven points and Tony Atkin, another new arrival, did even better with nine points.

Newport promoter Tim Stone said: "I am disappointed with the result but not with the team.

"Niels had done 10 laps of our track before the meeting. He was nervous and didn't make the best of starts but he's left with a smile on his face. He will do good things for us."

Welshman Atkin had a perfect start, opening with a third heat win. Stone said: "It was a storming meeting for him. I am looking for good middle order scoring and he did well."

Team manager Neil Street said: "He had a super meeting and it was very good to see Niels come through after not the best of starts and of course, the old guard (Smart and Watson) should not be forgotten."

Atkin said: "I am really pleased, although obviously disappointed with the team result and I was disappointed not to have won heat 14.

"It was a good start for me but I expect a bit more of myself this season.

"I like the Reading track and our aim is to pull back the two points and win the meeting."

The season can only get better for Carl Wilkinson who picked up a couple of third places but then suffered engine failure in his next two rides.

At reserve, Newport's two newcomers Chris Schramm and Matt Cambridge collected one point between them, Schramm finishing third in heat two.

Stone forecast Smith would have a point to prove - and he did just that with a top score of 12 from five rides including three heat wins.

n Igor Plechanov, the Russian rider who was twice world number two and rode twice at Newport for the Soviet team, was a guest at Hayley Stadium yesterday.

He said: "I really enjoyed the meeting, the racing and two teams were very good and it was good competition."

Plechanov is in the country helping to celebrate 75 years of speedway.

Wasps: Frank Smart 14 (6), Carl Wilkinson 2+1 (4), Niels Kristian Iversen 7+1 (4), Tony Atkin 9+1 (4), Craig Watson 11+1 (5), Chris Schramm 1 (4), Matt Cambridge 0 (3). Racers: Phil Morris 3 (2), Paul Clews 6+2 (4), Joonas Davidsson 7+1 (4), Andrew Appleton 7+2 (5), Scott Smith 12 (5), Stuart Williams 3 (4), Shane Colvin 8+3 (6).