Newport stage their first double header speedway meeting of the season on Sunday when Rye House provide the opposition for both Everest Group Wasps and the new-look Mavericks (tapes-up 2.30pm).

The Wasps, disappointed only to draw against Mildenhall last Sunday in the Premier Trophy, received a big lift last night when reserve Joel Parsons qualified for the final of the British Under-21 Championship - leading to the world final - after a thrilling three-way race-off at Stoke.

Parsons, a winter capture by the Wasps, finished level on 12 points with Jamie Robertson and home-track rider Jack Hargreaves, but came good to clinch third place.

Jason King won the meeting with a 15-point maximum and James Brundle was second.

Newport's Sam Hurst gained two points but Mavericks team boss Peter Towersey said: "That was his first crack at the championship and he's got another five years at the competition."

Newport teenage rider Billy Legg faces a hectic weekend after a frustrating time following his spectacular spill on the opening day of the season in the challenge match at Somerset.

Legg's crash left him battered and bruised but he was all set for a return at Buxton - along with teammate Karl Mason - on Sunday in the opening qualifying round of the British U-21 Championship. But rain, and plenty of it on the Hi-Edge track, put paid to the meeting. It will now be staged at Rye House on April 13.

Towersey, who made the trip, said: "There was a gale-force wind and the rain was horizontal. I arrived two hours before the meeting and the track was already waterlogged. There was no way they would have ridden.

"When it was finally postponed, Billy immediately asked his mechanic if there was time to get to Newport for a spin!" He received a negative response.

Now Legg's first outing will be at Mildenhall with the Wasps on Saturday evening followed by a busy Sunday, riding for the Wasps and Mavericks.