Premier LeagueKing's Lynn 64 Newcastle 28LYNN cruised to the top of the Premier League last night at the Norfolk Arena.The Stars' powerful septet crushed a battling Diamonds outfit to move two points clear of Workington with two meetings in hand.

Premier League

King's Lynn 64 Newcastle 28

LYNN cruised to the top of the Premier League last night at the Norfolk Arena.

The Stars' powerful septet crushed a battling Diamonds outfit to move two points clear of Workington with two meetings in hand.

Even watching world champion Jason Crump must have been impressed with Rob Lyon's men.

Crump's young Aussie compatriot Darcy Ward blazed to the opener in a Saddlebow season's best 58.67 seconds - Ward's flying tour aided by a stiff challenge from fellow World Under-21 finalist Kenni Larsen.

Top gun Kozza Smith and Jan Graversen gated not once but twice after Trent Leverington clipped the whitewash forcing team mate Adam McKinna to lay down his machine.

Diamonds' skipper Jason King hit back with a stylish last-to-first effort eclipsing Chris Schramm and Emiliano Sanchez.

Rene Bach dived up the inside of Jan Graversen on his first competitive outing at the Norfolk Arena behind Saddlebow stalwart Tomas Topinka.

Sanchez gated smartly in the next but Schramm drove out of the deep stuff to power around his team mate - Lynn's Argentine needing all his trackcraft to repel Larsen's last bend assault.

Ward's mature team riding display helped police Bach with Eklof claiming the spoils as Lynn moved 16 clear on the scoresheets.

Smith dominated heat seven before landing a bonus reserve outing after Graversen shredded the tapes in the next.

The EDP columnist completed his hat-trick following a brief delay for Derek Sneddon's first bend tumble - the former Edinburgh raider bravely fending off Eklof in the re-run.

Ward missed the break on the restart but rescued the win with a flying dive up the inside of Mark Lemon exiting turn three.

The fast-learning Larsen inflicted Smith's only reverse of the night for a rare Newcastle flag.

Graversen blunted King's tactical raid to guide Lynn through their customary half century haul on home shale.

Topinka re-appeared for a serene heat 13 victory - Ward and Larsen renewing rivalries in the rear as the precocious Dane fended off the marauding teenager.

Smith trapped ahead of Lemon on another late tactical foray - Schramm's rash-like attentions over the finish line resulting in a bottom bend tumble for the hosts' second string. Topinka turned the tables on Larsen in the finale to even up their personal duel - Lynn's skipper celebrating with a rare fist pump after a cute wide line in the early sparring.

Stars: Ward 9+1, Eklof 6, Sanchez 10+2, Schramm 7+2, Topinka 12+2, Smith 14, Graversen 6+1.

Diamonds: Larsen 10, Sneddon 2, King 4, Lemon 7, Bach 2, McKinna 3, Leverington 0.

- The Norfolk Arena will host its own Ashes battle on Saturday when GB U21s face their Australian counterparts (7.30pm).

Barracudas' National League duo Scott Campos and Adam Lowe are both included in the GB squad.