HORNETS 53 ISLE OF WIGHT 39

KYLE Newman was the inspiration behind Wessex Bus Hornets getting their National League Trophy qualifying campaign off to a flying start at Queensway Meadows Stadium yesterday.

Newman was a regular with Newport Darlows Wasps in the British Premier League in 2009 and has recently signed for Birmingham Brummies at the same level.

And he used his experience to great effect by finishing his five rides unbeaten by an Islander – posting a paid 15 effort.

Aussie Mark Jones used his last meeting before heading home to show just what the Hornets will miss as they battle on three fronts to land silverware.

Jones’ six-month UK work permit is set to expire, and the hope is that should he return to these shores, then it will be Newport where he will again settle.

Jones mustered paid 13 also from five races, skipper Tony Atkin secured a double-figure score while Lliswerry product James White-Williams again shone from a reserve berth.

Last week White-Williams top- scored in the 53-40 home NL success over Weymouth Wildcats.

This time around he roared to a trio of heat victories from five outings – including a last-place finish in his final race when he missed the gate.

Although the Hornets were comfortable winners in the end, they started sluggishly and found themselves 8-4 after the opening two heats.

However, the Islanders, who included former Newport riders Nick Simmons and Danny Warwick, failed to build on that start and went on to win only one more race – the 10th by 4-2.

Although the Hornets posted a quartet of 5-1 race maximum wins and another couple by 4-2, there was enough overtaking to keep the fans interested.

Wessex Bus Hornets return to their National League programme on Friday, when they visit Weymouth Wildcats.

Newport Wessex Bus Hornets 53: 1 – Todd Kurtz 7(4); Luke Priest 1(4); 3 – Mark Jones 10+3(5); 4 – Tony Atkin (c) 10(4); 5 - Kyle Newman 14+1(5); 6 – James White-Williams 11(5): 7 – Daniel Hodgson 0(3).

Isle of Wight Islanders 39: 1 – Paul Starke 5+1(4); 2 – Lee Smethills 4(4): 3 – Danny Warwick 10(5); 4 – Brendan Johnson 4+1(4): 5 – Nick Simmons (c) 9(5); 6 – Dean Felton 3(4); 7 – Tom Hill 4+3(4).

Both of Newport Darlows Wasps’ scheduled British Premier League fixtures were postponed because of inclement weather over the weekend.

Friday night’s planned historic home meeting with Glasgow Tigers, a clash which would have marked the city’s first floodlit speedway match since 1977, was washed out, as was Saturday’s away encounter with Stoke Potters.

Darlows Wasps are next in action at Queensway Meadows Stadium on Sunday, when they host BPL rivals Sheffield Tigers – tapes up at 2.30pm.