NEWPORT Wasps failed to win away from home again last night as they slumped to defeat in their British Premier League clash with Swindon Robins.

Wasps lost 52-38 and now seem destined to pick up the wooden spoon as the club finishing bottom of the league.

Last night's defeat followed a familiar pattern, as the Wasps were once again hampered by their lack of strength in the two reserve places.

Rob Finlow managed just one point from three races and guest rider Jason King failed to score from his three rides.

In contrast, Swindon's Richie Hawkins and Martin Dixon racked up 12 points between them. Hawkins grabbed five from his four races and Robins skipper Dixon got seven.

Things had started badly for the Wasps with Glenn Cunningham failing to score from his first two races, and despite the Wasps rider winning his last three Newport were always struggling to regain lost ground .

Guest rider Phil Morris, who was standing in for the injured Anders Henriksson top scored for Newport but even he couldn't prevent another defeat for Tim Stone's side. The other Wasps riders scored well with Steve Masters, Scott Smith and Chris Neath all picking up useful points.

But as is so often the case with Wasps this season their lack of strength in reserve meant that once again they couldn't compete with their rival.

The Wasps now face a tough weekend of racing with meetings away at high flying Workington Comets on Saturday night and at home to Arena-Essex Hammers on Sunday.

Henriksson will miss both meetings, the Swede damaged a knee while racing for home side Lejonen last week in the Swedish Allsvenskan League.

The Wasps rider had hoped to be fit for Sunday's race, but it now expected to return for Newport in their rearranged meeting against Exeter next Wednesday night.

Reading Racers star Phil Morris will guest once again on Saturday but is unavailable for Sunday's meeting as he is taking part in Reading team-mate Dave Mullett's 20-year testimonial.

The No 1 ride has yet to be filled for Sunday where in reserve Carl Wilkinson will fill in for Ryan Tolley.

Wasps team for Saturday: 1 P Morris, 2 S Smith, 3 G Cunningham, 4 C Neath, 5 S Masters, 6 R Finlow, 7 J King. For Sunday: 1 TBA, 2 Smith, 3 Cunningham, 4 Neath, 5 Masters, 6 Finlow, 7 Wilkinson. Arena-Essex Hammers: 1 T Pratt, 2 S Tacey, 3 C White, 4 L Dicken, 5 L Lanham, 6 L Herne, 7 L Clifton.