King’s Lynn’s new recruit Darren Mallett starred in Wednesday’ night’s Premier Trophy cruise against Newport at the Norfolk Arena.

King’s Lynn 58, Newport 34

King’s Lynn’s new recruit Darren Mallett starred in Wednesday’ night’s Premier Trophy cruise against Newport at the Norfolk Arena.

The 23-year-old homegrown talent grabbed his big chance with a paid nine haul after being confirmed as Ricky Wallace’s reserve replacement in the treble winners’ septet.

Mallett edged out Tomas Topinka and Linus Eklof for top billing on an evening when Rob Lyon’s holders fired out an ominous warning to the rest.

“I hope this can be a full time move up to the Premier League but it all depends on how I score,” said Mallett. “You just never know what will happen and it could all be down to luck. I’m excited to be back at King’s Lynn. I had a good year with the National League side last season, which is continuing again, so hopefully I can carry on my form.

“Achieving a Premier heat leader position would be a career goal for me, but I need to take it one step at a time.”

Newport had rallied with a major heat seven tactical foray but the Wasps’ were blown away by a second half surge.

Topinka and Eklof flew from the tapes for an emphatic opening maximum before Mallett celebrated his Premier homecoming with a stylish reserve win. Kyle Legault’s smooth clutch work earned the classy Canadian a heat three flag to reduce the early arrears.

Kevin Doolan produced another banker win on home shale then Joe Haines trapped in the next to fend off Leigh Lanham’s assault around the boards.

Topinka and Eklof smothered the out gunned Kim Nilsson in a re-run heat six caused by Tim Webster’s spill to move Lynn 14 clear.

Doolan tumbled in the next on a rare Saddlebow blank trying to split tactical raider Legault and Anders Mellgren - Mallett also forced to take emergency action to avoid his stricken team mate.

Craig Watson claimed the next for the battling visitors despite Eklof’s concerted attempts culminating in a final bend assault.

Kozza Smith hooked it up from the tapes to dictate the next after a disappointing initial burst from the popular second string.

Topinka scorched to heat ten in the fastest time of the season at his spiritual home with Eklof diving into his skipper’s slipstream to finally lower Legault’s colours.

Mallett trapped with Doolan his wing man to blunt Lanham’s late tactical foray in heat 11 as Lynn went through the gears. Casper Wortmann deserved a point for a never-say-die joust with Tim Kurtz behind Smith before Mallett was denied by Legault in the closing stages of the penultimate tour.

Topinka completed his full set in the finale but Elite League ace Lanham relegated Eklof to the minor places.

Stars: Topinka 13+2, Eklof 10+2, Smith 8, Haines 7+3, Doolan 8+1, Mallett 9, Wortmann 3+1.

Wasps: Lanham 7, Watson 4+1, Mellgren 5, Legault 11+1, Nilsson 2, Webster 0, Kurtz 5+1.