DUDLEY suffered their first heavy defeat of the season with a 59-34 setback at Newport on Monday.

Heathens were hit by the loss of fans favourite Jon Armstrong before the meeting with an eye infection. They used the rider replacement facility which gleaned only four-points.

Boss Will Pottinger used Tom Perry as a tactical ride which didn't work out - but Lee Smart collected all six from his outing on double points.

Smart notched 17-points to top score for the Heathens and Perry scored 7.

Said Pottinger: "It was one of those days, everything just seemed to go against us.

"We have to put it down to experience and all part of the learning curve for our youngsters. And again I'd like to thank our wonderful travelling fans."

NEWPORT: Tim Webster 12+1, Mark Jones 10+2, Todd Kurtz 9+2, Kyle Newman 9+1, Tony Atkin 9, Tom Young 5+2, James White Williams 5+1.

DUDLEY: Lee Smart 17, Tom Perry 7, Richard Franklin 5+1, Jake Anderson 3+1, Ashley Morris 2, James Sarjeant 0, Jon Armstrong R/R.