NEWPORT Wasps captain Craig Watson (pictured) has told of his personal heartache at failing to make the big Premier League showdown for individual riders at Manchesters Belle Vue stadium tomorrow week.

Watson thought he had done enough to represent the club at the Premier League Riders Championships after some outstanding performances in recent months.

But he heard last Tuesday that he had not made it, losing the one place available in the competition for each teams top riders by 0.05 of a point on the seasons averages.

Watson, though, still intends to make the trip up north and support the teams entrant, Frank Smart, when he pits his wits against 15 of the other lead riders in the Premier League.

The Newport captain said: I am ahead of Frank in the averages but the way they do the averages for this competition is over certain races in the season and Frank was just in the lead over me in that.

Im absolutely devestated in general and Ive been trying to put it out of my mind since I learned about it on Tuesday.

Fran k thought I was in it and not him and Tim (Stone. Newports promotor) was shocked as well.

Its just a shame the way that they worked the averages out.

Watson had a maximum meeting against Exeter Falcons last Sunday and scored another 14 points with four wins and a second the next day at Hayley Stadium in the victory over Glasgow Tigers.

And, after those meetings, he was gearing up expectantly for his shot at the big individual crown.

But it was not to be and he admitted: I just assumed I was in it after the way I was riding for the last couple of months.

But Im part of the Mallett Transport team with Frank and Ill be going up to help him up there and I wish him all the luck he can.

I knew Frank had a fairly good chance of getting there after his start to the season but what really lost if for me was the day when I broke down on the way to Arena Essex. I didnt get there until the 11th heat and, by then, I had missed two heats and scored nought and nought.

Really, I should have just missed the rest of the meeting but I couldnt go that to the team.