NEWPORT Mike Mann-ing Wasps bring the curtain down on their 2011 campaign this weekend, determined to clinch what at one stage was a hugely-unlikely fourth-place finish.

As June began, the Wasps were rock bottom of the British Premier League having won only two of their opening 12 fixtures - including losing their first five home meetings at their Queensway Meadows Stadium track.

However, the signings of dashing Dane Charlie Gjedde and Australian ace Jason Doyle, the return of Swedish star Anders Mellgren plus the inspirational leadership of skipper Leigh Lanham soon helped the Wasps shoot up the table.

In the subsequent 24 league fixtures, the Wasps won 17, drew one and lost only six, the defeats all away with Lanham’s men currently on a run of 11 successive home victories – 13 if cup fixtures are included.

Throw in Robin Aspegren being highly motivated by countryman Mellgren’s return and the steady scoring of Aussies Mark Jones and Todd Kurtz as reserves and the Wasps had suddenly built a side good enough to land silverware in the shape of the BPL Knockout Cup.

That came following a magnificent two-leg final success over eventual league champions Glasgow Tigers earlier this month.

Now the Wasps visit Berwick Bandits tonight before hosting Edinburgh Monarchs tomorrow - tapes up at 6.0pm - to complete what has been their most successful season in 11 years.

On offer are seven BPL points with fifth-placed Wasps needing three to leap-frog Somerset Rebels into fourth spot.

However, also in contention for that position are Workington Comets, who are two points behind the Wasps.

They have three meetings this weekend, a double header with bottom-but-one Plymouth Devils tomorrow and a clash with Edinburgh on Sunday.

As they did at Queensway Meadows Stadium last Saturday, Berwick again use Scunthorpe Scorpions’ David Howe as a guest for injured Swede Sebastian Alden, while Edin-burgh will select from their squad.

Teams (from): Newport Mike Manning Audio Wasps: Robin Aspegren; Rider replacement for Jason Doyle; Mark Jones; Charlie Gjedde; Todd Kurtz; Leigh Lanham (capt); Anders Mellgren.

Berwick Bandits: Lee Complin (capt); Mitch Davey; Alex Edberg; Linus Eklof; Josef Franc; David Howe (Scunthorpe Scorpions, guest for Sebastian Alden); Jade Mudgway.

Edinburgh Monarchs: Craig Cook; Kyle Howarth; Kalle Katajisto; Tom Perry; Andrew Tully; Matthew Wethers (capt); Kevin Wolbert.

Newport Drillerman Hornets also complete their 2011 season when they entertain British National League champions Mildenhall Fen Tigers on Sunday night – tapes up at 6.00pm.

Beforehand (11am-3pm), Newport Speedway will run a training school from which a rider will be selected to take a place in the Hornets team against Mildenhall.

To register for the training school contact Laurence Rogers on 07801 429304, Nick Mallett on 07870 570880, Del Rowe on 07796 815392 or Kevin Brown on 07521 338484.