Tough task for Wasps

11:05am Saturday 26th April 2008

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NEWPORT face one of the toughest possible tests this weekend if they are to repeat last season's Knockout Cup heroics.

Big-spending Birming-ham were sent crashing out of the competition at the hands of the Wasps this time last year, with the Hayley Stadium side then going past Stoke too en route to the semi-finals - but this time around they have been handed a first-round tie with Rye House.

That means a trip to the notoriously difficult Hoddesdon circuit today for the first leg, with the return fixture taking place at the Hayley Stadium tomorrow.

Wasps' record at the tight Hertfordshire venue indicates the scale of their task, as in their last five visits their best result was a 58-38 defeat in a Premier Trophy fixture in 2006.

The year before, however, they got to within ten points of the Rockets in the same competition, whilst back in 2003 they came away with a notable 45-45 draw.

Clearly Rye House will be strongfavourites boasting the likes of teenage sensation Tai Woffinden, skipper and ex-Wasp ChrisNeath and experienced Swede Stefan Ekberg.

And the most important factorfor the Wasps is that they need the boost ofa home win following last weekend's one point defeat at the hands of Redcar.

Promoter Tim Stone said: "It's good to have cup-ties like this settled over the weekend with both legs back to back, and I'm sure Rye House will come as a new experience for a couple of our guys.

"We could do with a home win to provide us with a lift, and it will be good to see Tony (Atkin) coming down tomorrow to lend his support to the boys whilst he's still out injured.

"We should have won at home last week, especially when Redcar had two riders hurt, and although it was a really good advert for speedway it was a disappointing outcome.

"We're looking at things all the time regarding the team, but all I can say is that if the opportunity to improve does present itself, then we would certainly take that opportunity."

Woffinden was sensational at the Hayley Stadium last season, unbeaten in all eleven of his rides including a tactical substitute outing when he came from 15 metres back - and whilst the phrase future World Champion' is an over-used one, his presence on Sunday allows supporters another glimpse of this rarest of talents.

Rye House will not quite be at full strength for the matches, as second-string Luke Bowen crashed out of their home win over King's Lynn last weekend and sustained ligament and muscle damage.

Bowen's absence will be covered by the rider replacement facility which will hand extra rides to Tommy Allen and reserves Danny Betson and Robert Mear, and the Rockets also intend to name another rising star Daniel Halsey as No.8 at Hoddesdon.