On a glorious Sunday 23rd May East Newport Cycle Speedway Club hosted for the first time in there short history the South and South West Rose Bowl Final.
 
With a healthy crowd in attendance and under the watchful eye of referee Mr Ian Sizer the six competing teams East Newport, Exeter, Hellingly, Swindon, Newport and defending Rose Bowl winners Southampton lined up in this 30 heat event on a well prepared East Newport Polo.
 
With the guarantee of Gold Cup action later in the year at Southampton, by finishing 4th or above everyone point on offer was well contested for.
 
East Newport started the meeting as favourites and didn't disappoint the home crowd by lifting the Bowl for the 2nd time in there history on 60 points, R Hughes 15+1, A Hughes 15+3, N Power 15, N Evans 15, L Harvey 8+2.
 
Swindon finished in 6th place on 31 points, M Glover 8, F Joachin 8+1, P Matthews 6, A Glover 9.
 
Newport who narrowly missed out on Gold Cup action finished in 5th place with 49 points, J Harrold 8+1, D Murphy 17, C Simmons 12+2, C Davies 12, O Sidwick dnr,
 
Hellingly came home in 4th spot on 50 points, E Ridley 6, M Hollebon 17+1, N Hollebon 18, Z Parsons 9+2, S Archer dnr.
 
Exeter came home in a well deserved 3rd place on 51 points, S Dart 14+2, A Coles 6, A Herbert 14, D Winchester 4, C Nethercott 13+2.
 
Southampton came home in 2nd place 52 points, but needing a 1st and 2nd in the last race of the day to secure 2nd place managed to achieve this after some good team riding by former British Individual Champion Gavin Wheeler.  C Wheeler 15, T Collin 10+1, G Wheeler 16+3, D Miller 13, H Chant dnr.
 
On reflection a great day of racing was had by all and both seeded teams in the Gold Cup Final Poole and Horspath will have to be at there best to stop one of these none premiere league sides from winning the Gold Cup later in the season at Southampton, it was also pleasing to see former vet riders from years gone by in attendance.
 
Awards were presented to all riders and referee by Mr Sheik Raymond of Yaskin Sports Limited and is hoping to attend more matches both at East Newport and Filton in the foreseeable future.
 
1st East Newport 60.
2nd Southampton 52
3rd Exeter 51
4th Hellingly 50
5th Newport 49
6th Swindon 31