NEWPORT'S Frank Smart is hoping to spring a surprise of his own tonight against Swindon (7.30pm) after having an unexpected guest turn up at his wedding, writes Ryland James.

The Australian said the Newport team are smarting after reading that the Speedway Star magazine predicted they will finish 15th and they plan to start putting the record straight tonight by sending out a clear message.

Smart said: "Craig (Watson) goes well round the track and we are all looking forward to it, Swindon are in for a hard time.

"We need to continue our good start, it's the same for us, as with any team, it's all about confidence, confidence, confidence."

His promoter Tim Stone has fired a defiant message to the rest of the Premier League: "Don't underestimate us!"

The Wasps face Swindon tonight and Sunday and Stone said: "We started the season in style against Reading last weekend with a really impressive team effort.

"I don't want to talk about individuals because it was all about people sticking together and we'll need to do the same against Swindon."

But Smart nudged his side ahead in last Sunday's win over Reading as he won his first outing in heat four and Wasps never surrendered the advantage as Ben Howe (2), Craig Watson, Lee Dicken and Smart again rode to heat wins to open a 36-18 lead. Pleased to have hit Reading so hard (incidentally ranked 14th by the Speedway Star), Smart was obviously still buzzing after his little surprise the day before.

He married his long-time girlfiend Charlotte at Tredegar House last Saturday and had the shock of his life when his mum Frances made a 13,000 mile journey to surprise him and his bride.

Smart said: "I rang home on Saturday to speak to my parents and my Dad said my mum had popped out.

"I was standing at Tredegar House regretting not have spoken to her, when I turned round to look up the isle and see Charlie, but there she was. "It really made my day and it turned out to be a great weekend."

Mum Frances flies back to Perth at the weekend, while Wasps take on Swindon in the Premier Trophy while the M4 Challenge match postponed this week takes place next Monday night.

Swindon are still waiting on the fitness of Charlie Gjedde who picked up a leg injury playing football in his native Denmark.

Newport: Craig Watson, Frank Smart, Ben Howe, Scott Smith, Lee Dicken, Barrie Evans, Carl Wilkinson.

Swindon: Charlie Gjedde, Paul Fry, Oliver Allen, Chris Neath, Paul Lee, Ritchie Hawkins, Jason King.