NEWPORT Hornets face stiff opposition tomorrow evening (from 7pm) when the Rye House Cobras visit for National League action at the Queensway Meadows Stadium.

The Hertfordshire-based Cobras contain two riders who also ride for the Rye House Premier League team in Kyle Hughes and Lee Strudwick.

While their skipper David Mason is a former Newport Wasp and reserve Shane Hazleden made a number of successful appearances for the Hornets at the end of the 2009 season.

One ex-Hornet who will not be present is Marc Owen who is injured with the Cobras operating the rider replacement to cover for him.

Hornets team manager Kevin Brown said: “Although young Marc is missing the team has so many riders with comparable high averages that they will be able to take care of his programmed rides very adequately.

“Although we have been very effective at home all season there is no way that we are complacent with the Cobras in town.”

The Hornets retain the same riding order with the new and powerful opening pairing of Todd Kurtz and Mark Jones retained.

Newport ‘Wessex Bus’ Hornets: 1. Todd Kurtz, 2. Mark Jones, 3. Tim Webster, 4. Tony Atkin (Capt), 5. Kyle Newman, 6. Tom Young, 7. James White-Williams Rye House Cobras: 1. Nicky Allott (Guest), 2. Rider replacement for Marc Owen, 3. David Mason (Capt), 4. Lee Strudwick, 5. Kyle Hughes, 6. Shane Hazleden, 7. Ben Morley There will be forms in circulation at tomorrow night’s match to give fans the opportunity to subscribe to a special fund raising event for the new floodlights which will take place in the stadium bar after the Hornets home match against Mildenhall on Friday, July 23.

This involves the waxing of the bodies of track curator David Dean and Nick Mallett the son of club owner Steve Mallett.

Before that there is more speedway on Sunday when the Newport Wasps race the Stoke Potters in Premier League action at 2.30pm The club has also confirmed some amendments and confirmations for the Hornets fixture list.

The prestigious National League Pairs event will take place on Saturday, August 7, with the time yet to be announced. Newport are the defending champions with the 2009 title being won by Tony Atkin and Grant Tregoning on the Isle of Wight. The Hornets have two Sunday fixtures with Weymouth the visitors in National League action on Sunday, August 15 at 2.30pm and the Isle of Wight Islanders at Queensway Meadows on Sunday, August 22 in the National Trophy competition.

Full club details on www.newport-speedway.co.uk with previews and match scores on the club hotline: 09066 555 915.