IT SIMPLY doesn’t come any better than this – a well-deserved home victory over the dominant side of 2009.

The Wasps were in irresistible mood as every man played his part in downing the colours of a visiting side that landed no less than three pieces of silverware last year.

King’s Lynn have made a few changes for their 2010 line-up but they still include Aussie ace Kevin Doolan (a Hayley Stadium expert who won two individual meetings at the venue in 2009), Czech Republic star Topinka (who has a near-10-point average) plus fancied performers as Joe Haines and Linus Eklof.

However, none of that mattered on a day when the Wasps had skipper Leigh Lanham and Craig Watson leading from the front and Swedish pair Kim Nilsson and Anders Mellgren champing at the bit to impress.

Nilsson may have scored a few more points had he not felt a bit groggy after a nasty-looking fall and the same can be said of UK-born, Aussie-bred Alex Davies.

The latter has quickly formed a decent reserve partnership with Australian battler Todd Kurtz and the duo could well be the key if the Wasps are to have a successful campaign.

Following a couple of opening 3-3 draws, the home side took control by winning three and drawing the next four races to lead 24-18.

By the start of heat 12 of 15, the advantage was 36-24 and this forced the visitors to field Topinka as a tactical rider seeking double points if he beat an opponent.

Well he didn’t because Nilsson and Davies both finished ahead of him and when King’s Lynn applied Kozza Smith as a tactical in the very next race, Mellgren beat him to the chequered flag to make it 41-31.

Lanham led home the final race ahead of Topinka to set the seal on a famous victory which was greeted with immense delight by the home faithful. Newport Darlows Wasps 51 (number of rides in brackets): 1 - Leigh Lanham (c) 10 +3(5); 2 - Craig Watson 11(5); 3 - Anders Mellgren 10 (4); 4 - Kyle Legault 6 +3 (4); 5 - Kim Nilsson 7+1(8); 6 - Alex Davies 4(4); 7 - Todd Kurtz 3+1(4).

King’s Lynn Stars 41: 1 – Tomas Topinka 11(5); 2 – Linus Eklof 0 (3); 3 – Kozza Smith 8(4); 4 – Joe Haines 6 +1(4); 5 - Kevin Doolan 7 +1(5); 6 – Ricky Wallace 0 (3); 7 - Casper Wortman 9 +2(6).

l The Wasps continue their Premier Trophy South qualifying programme on Saturday when they visit Rye House Rockets before entertaining the same opponents at Hayley Stadium on Sunday, tapes up at 2.30pm.

l National League outfit Newport Wessex Bus Hornets make their 2010 bow at Hayley Stadium today when they host Scandinavian-based touring side Team Viking in a Challenge Match, tapes up at 1pm.

Hornets: 1 - Tony Atkin (c); 2 - Mark Jones; 3 - Todd Kurtz; 4 - Kyle Newman; 5 - Tim Webster; 6 - James White-Williams 7 - Tom Young.

Team Viking: 1 - Robin Bergqvist; 2 - Andreas Westlund; 3 - Jesper Soegaard; 4 - Peter Juul Larsen; 5 - Johannes Kikkenborg; 6 - Henning Loof (c); 7 - Lars K. Fuglerud.