Newport Wasps pushed Glasgow all the way at Ashfield last night in a Premier League thriller. Although losing by six points Wasps took the precious bonus point.

Wasps, riding at Edinburgh tonight, skipped into an early lead and held firm until home pair James Grieves and George Stancl levelled the match with a heat 13 5-1.

Stancl easily won the opening race but heat two was a cracker. All four riders swapped places before Wasps skipper Tony Atkin powered home to victory - closely followed by Aussie partner Karlis Ezergailis.

And the visitors doubled their advantage in the next race as former Tiger Neil Collins teamed up with Great Dane Kristian Lund to relegate Trent Leverington to third place.

Back came Glasgow though and guest Grieves joined James Birkinshaw for a revenge 5-1 over disappointing Wasps guest Theo Pijper.

Tigers momentarily drew level in heat seven when Ezergailis made a costly mistake and was passed by Glasgow's teenage reserve James Cockle.

However, the impressive Atkin took the chequered flag in the next race - followed home by Lund - to restore Wasps four-point advantage.

Atkin was then excluded in heat nine after falling - unaided - on the second bend. Pijper passed Leverington in a somewhat aggressive - but legal - manner in the rerun though to keep the difference at four.

The next race proved something of a watershed for Wasps however, as Atkin once again came to grief at the same spot.

As pointless Tiger Matthew Wethers rounded the 39-year-old Welshman, Atkin clipped his back wheel and was sent hurtling through the safety fence.

The potent reserve received lengthy medical treatment - as well as being excluded - and it was announced that he would take no further part in the match.

However, in heat nine, just as everyone had filled in the name of Ezergailis in the programme, out came Atkin to a hero's welcome from the large travelling band of vociferous Wasps' fans. He was soon passed by both Tigers but Collins rode the race of life to edge Birkinshaw for all three points. 38-34 Newport.

Stancl and Grieves nabbed a heat 13 5-1 though to level matters before Claus Kristensen popped out to beat man-of-the-meeting Collins in the penultimate race. 43-41 Glasgow.

With the aggregate bonus point secure, Wasps sent out Korneliussen and Collins to tackle Glasgow's big two.

Grieves roared from the gate to seal the win but a battle of gladiatorial proportions was developing behind him. Korneliussen had the edge on the unbeaten Stancl but was dive-bombed on lap three by the impressive Czech.

Wasps team boss Neil Street said: "It was an eventful match. A lot of credit must go to both sets of riders for putting on a show on a damp circuit. Tony Atkin started like an express train and we definitely lost our secret weapon when he crashed. It was terrifying but he battled back, took extra rides although he wasn't the same threat.

"I'm reasonably happy with the bonus point but we could've had more. We certainly played our part in an excellent match though."

Glasgow: George Stancl 15 (5), Matthew Wethers 1 (4), Trent Leverington 5+1 (4), Claus Kristensen 7+1 (4), James Grieves 12+2 (5), James Cockle 3 (4), James Birkinshaw 5+1 (4) Newport: Mads Korneliussen 8+1 (5), Kristian Lund 7+2 (5), Michael Coles (rr), Neil Collins 12 (6), Theo Pijper 5+1 (4), Tony Atkin 8 (7), Karlis Ezergailis 2+1 (3)

l Last night's other results: Skybet Elite League: Oxford 49 (Niels-Kristian Iversen 14+1) Arena Essex 41 (Roman Povazhny 12+1) Oxford win the bonus point, Swindon 53 (Charlie Gjedde 16+1) Belle Vue 39 (Jason Crump 14) Premier Trophy, semi-final, second leg: Sheffield 50 (Ricky Ashworth 15) Rye House 39 (Stuart Robson 14) Rye House win 105-76 on aggregate.