NEWPORT Speedway will host Elite League opposition next year with the introduction of the new British League Cup competition.

The cup takes the place of the old Premier Trophy and for the first time will see clashes between teams from speedway's Elite and Premier Leagues with Newport up against Poole and Wolverhampton in their pool.

As Elite League champions, Wolverhampton will also be aiming for success in the British League Cup where they will face Exeter, Newport, Poole, Somerset and Trelawny in a group which includes plenty of travelling but also an appetising difference in fixtures.

If he confirms his return to Hayley Stadium for 2003, Australian Craig Watson could end up riding against Poole - even though he is one of their assets.

The new competition was created at the weekend at speedway's AGM, held at Swindon, where promoters from Britain's top clubs decided to create a competition to be staged on weekends when the country's top riders are away on Grand Prix duty.

The competition will limit each team to 36 points to allow Premier League teams to compete with their more illustrious opponents, and will throw up some mouth-watering clashes.

The new competition meansan Elite League side will rideat Hayley Stadium for the first time since Belle Vue beat Newport in 2000 and Newport promoter Tim Stone is looking forward to seeing how the Premier League sides fare against Britain's top riders.

He said: "The first time a Premier League team beats an Elite side people will sit up and take notice. It's an exciting competition and will allow a continuity of fixtures when the Grand Prixs are on."

Stone was refering to the plight of Coventry, who lost £8,000 a meeting last season when they rode during the week rather than on their usual Saturday night slot.

Of their 24 home meetings in 2002, only 13 were on a Saturday night and the British League Cup has been designed to help clubs race even when their top riders are missing.

Meanwhile, Oxford's application to move into the Premier League has been placed on hold as King's Lynn boss Nigel Wagstaff has yet to agree a new lease with his Norfolk Arena landlord.

And the same applies to Somerset, who withdrew from the league during the AGM as they have been unable to finalise their own long-term lease.

King's Lynn and Somerset have been given 21 days in which to resolve their respective problems.

Newport's New Year Classic will take place on Sunday Januray 5 at 1pm.