NEWPORT Wasps slumped to their heaviest defeat of the season last night when they lost 64-26 away to Exeter Falcons.

Wasps have been racked with injuries over the last couple of weeks, and yesterday's meeting was no exception.

Young Australian Scott Smith did not even start - the knee injury he picked up at the weekend is still bothering him.

And Wasps' leading points scorer, Steve Masters, could only finish three races before his shoulder injury forced him to retire.

Although disappointed, Wasps owner Tim Stone was philosophical in defeat.

"It was quite a disappointing evening," said Stone. "We have three injured riders, that's not an excuse, it's a fact.

"Scott (Smith) couldn't ride because of his knee, and because of the away average ruling we had to use a rider replacement instead of a guest rider. "Then Steve Masters could only complete three rides - it wasn't a good night for us.

"We're in a difficult situation really, the injuries are still there and we haven't come through them yet.

"But to the boys' credit, none of them refused to take the extra ride when they had to, and that spirit will only do the side good."

Wasps next travel to Newcastle in a week's time, and Stone isn't sure whether his riders will be fit.

"We'll travel to Newcastle and although the guys will be below strength, they'll all ride. We will come through this and will start winning," he said. Last night though was a match Wasps' fans and riders alike would like to forget.

With Paul Finlow riding as a replacement for Smith, Newport were always going to struggle against a full-strength Exeter outfit.

Once again the Welsh side were given a lesson by the excellent Michael Coles.

The Falcons rider has scored heavily against the Wasps this season, gaining maximum points once at Hayley Stadium.

Last night, Coles again picked up a maximum 15 points from five rides and along with Seemond Stephens, who scored 13 from five, and Matthew Cambridge, who scored 11 from five, laid the foundations for the Falcons' win.

For Wasps, only Glenn Cunningham managed to get into double figures. But even Wasps' number one rider could only manage 11 points from seven races.

In fact, it was a miserable evening all-round for the Wasps, the lower order also again failing to produce.

Krister Marsh could only manage two points from his five races, while Nick Simmons rode four times and failed to score a solitary point. Even the influential Chris Neath could manage only six points from his five rides.

Wasps have a break this Sunday, when there is a conference meeting at Hayley Stadium, but the Newport side are back in action next Monday and will need to win if their season isn't to be over before it's started.