IF it's a winning Newport team you want, then get down to Hayley Stadium on Sundays at 4.00pm because the Wasps are pulling up trees to produce value-for-money entertainment, writes Terry Daley.

They did it again yesterday when they opened their British Premier League campaign with the latest of three successive home victories.

OK, so the Potters have made a poor start to their season. But you can only beat what's in front of you, and with Stoke having brought in former Wasps ace Glenn Cunningham to improve their lot, this was never going to be an easy task for the home team.

Early on, though, it was looking just that as the Wasps roared to a 25-17 lead after only seven heats with Aussie Tom Henley, Pole Michael Rajkowski, Cwmfelinfach-based Phil Morris and Chris Schramm (twice) all taking the chequered flag in fine style.

Hedley, in particular, looked really good in winning the first heat in 59.46 seconds to post the best time of the season at the venue.

However, Wasps' firepower was diminished somewhat after Hedley blew an engine in his second outing, and he only managed another point from two races using skipper Tony Atkin's number-two bike.

That contributed to Stoke winning heat eight 5-1, although the Wasps bounced back straightaway when Morris and Atkin won the next race by the same score.

Cunningham used all his experience and knowledge to come from third to first to win heat 11, although the points were shared at 3-3, and when he won heat 13 as a tactical rider, the 6-3 success reduced the score to 44-37 in favour of the home team.

The gap was reduced even further when former Newport rider Barry Evans and Lee Complin took heat 14 by 4-2, but even Cunningham won the day's final race, Morris and Schema were able to follow him home to ensure race parity at 3-3.

l Despite his engine problem, Hedley will be available on Wednesday when the Wasps travel to Birmingham for a Knock-Out Cup first-leg encounter.

"I've got another motor which I've used at previous meetings, and while it's not as good as this one, I've a couple of days to get it ready," said the Australian.

The Wasps host Birmingham in the second leg on Sunday at the new start time of 4.00pm.

Newport Wasps: 1 - Nick Simmons - rider replacement; 2 - Tom Henley 4(4); 3 - Phil Morris 15(6); 4 - Tony Atkin 4+2(4); 5 - Chris Schema 12+3(6); 6 - Michael Rajkowski 13+1(7); 7 - Karl Mason 1(3).

Stoke Potters: 1 - Glenn Cunning- ham 15(5); 2 - Ben Barker 4(4); 3 - Garry Stead 6(5); 4 - Lee Complin 5+2(4); 5 - Rusty Harrison 4(4); 6 - Barry Evans 6+1(4); 7 - Tom Brown 3+2(4).