Luckless Wasps stung by Rockets (From South Wales Argus)

Finance advice

Get live answers from Alvin Hall Find out more »

Your Gwent

Get involved: send your photos, videos, news & views by texting ARGUS NEWS to 80360 or email »

News RSS Feed

Luckless Wasps stung by Rockets

10:48am Monday 28th April 2008

comment Comments (2) Have your say »

The Wasps suffered another disappointing night in Hertfordshire as an injury-hit Rockets side inflicted a painful 60-30 defeat in which only Marek Mroz emerged with any real credit.

True, the Wasps had little luck all night, with team manager Neil Street having cause to question two key decisions that went against his side.

Tai Woffinden's front wheel looked to have crossed the white line in Heat 5 when he came under Craig Watson, while Rockets' Danny Halsey was given the nod over Nick Simmons when the two crossed the line together in Heat 8.

In the end, though, those were only minor details as it was the visitors' inability to match the fast-gating Rockets that cost them dearly.

Woffinden, fresh from success in the British Under-21 Final, was head and shoulders above anything Newport had to offer.

The 17-year-old completed his third paid maximum of the season by coming from last to first in Heat 15. Already 12 points down by Heat 6 the Wasps introduced Sebastian Truminski for a tactical ride in Heat 7 but he could only trail in third as Ekberg and Mear recorded one of five home maximums.

An accomplished performer on previous visits to Hoddesdon, the night went from bad to worse for Craig Watson when the Australian blew an engine in Heat 13 which saw home skipper Chris Neath push his ailing machine home for a point.

The next race did finally produce a Newport heat advantage, but only after Rob Mear's chances of a seven-ride maximum disappeared when he shredded a tyre in the home straight, gifting Mroz the Wasps' only heat win of the night.

Rye House Chris Neath 12+1 (5 rides) Danny Halsey 4 (5 rides) Tai Woffinden 13+2 (5 rides) Rider replacement Tommy Allen Stefan Ekberg 11+1 (5 rides) Danny Betson 0 (withdrawn after 1 ride) Robert Mear 19+1 (7 rides) Gary Cottham 1 (2 rides) Newport Craig Watson 5 (4 rides) Nick Simmons 1+1 (5 rides) Sebastian Truminski 4 (4 rides) Rider replacement Tony Atkin Paul Clews 7+1 (6 rides) Jerran Hart 4 (5 rides) Marek Mroz 9+1 (6 rides)

Print article » Email to a friend »

Your Say YourGwent

wasps 4 life, Newport says...
3:55pm Mon 28 Apr 08

shame to hear about Stoney even though he could have sold the speedway ground during the winter because he was under a lot of stress with his mother at deaths door which meant that if he sold the speedway eventhough it was his hobbie i think the stress level would have reduced. it was a real shock when i heard just as i pulled up to the stadium i hope this isnt the end for the wasps. the wasps mean a lot to me and im still getting over the shock he brought speedway back to newport and now i wonder what the BSPA are going to do?

Report this post »

slider, Abertillery says...
12:12am Fri 2 May 08

Well as far as What happens next is concerned, it is anyones guess. As a speedway fan ( i remember the Somerton park days as well) I Would hope that the BSPA grants someone a temporary licence, to cover things untill a more permanent resolution can be found. At this sad time, many are speculating as to what the future may bring. But for now, let us all send out condolences to Tim and his familly in these extremely sad times. For i am sure that the team will not be allowed to die as well. For if that were to happen as well - then that would be the ultimate tragedy

Report this post »

Your sayYourGwent

comment Add your comment

Register for a FREE South Wales Argus account and you can have your say on today's news and sport by adding comments on articles we publish. The best comments may even get published in the paper.

Please register now or sign in below to continue.