Saints' first Premier League match of the new season meant a trip to arch rivals Horspath - the defending league champions.

The tight Oxford track is always a difficult place to get a result but the match was made much tougher by the continued suspension of Lee Galley, the unavailabillity of new signing Andy Franks and the absence of veteran Ian Woodhouse.

Luckily for Southampton captain Gavin Wheeler was in fantastic form.

Saints started well holding the strong home side that featured no fewer than four Polish riders for the first three heats before things started to slip away. Shaun Woodhouse had a great start winning heat two from the outside grid and also looked to be in good shape this early in the season.

Horspath took the lead but the damage was limited by some good riding from Saints' nation championship winning duo of Toby Millen and Nathan Harris.

The home side's lead was never seriously challenged in the second half, however the last few heats did feature some fine racing, especially from Southampon youngsters Tom Colling and Lee Ridgwell.

Colling took a fine win in heat nine while Ridgewell had his best Premier League match to date, winning heats 15 and 17.

The international flavour of the match was added to by Saints including French-Canadian signing Slyvan Roy in their line up

The Phd student from Quebec looked to be a natural in his first ever match. The final score of 98-78 was not a fair reflection on the closeness of the racing and if Southampton continue to perform like this when some of their more established riders return to action another successful season awaits.

Saints: Toby Millen 11, Nathan Harris 7+1, Tom Colling 11, Shaun Woodhouse 12, Gavin Wheeler 18+1, Lee Ridgwell 13, Sylvan Roy 7.