Workington Comets v Belle Vue Colts

BELLE Vue are firmly in the fight to reach the NDL Grand Final after completing a crucial weekend double over Workington.

The Colts won 51-39 at Northside to make it five points in less than 24 hours, with the result taking them into second place in the league table, albeit having raced two more matches than Leicester, whose home clash with Oxford was abandoned due to rain.

Heat-leaders Sam Hagon and James Pearson returned after missing the reverse fixture and both scored 11+1 in a solid display from the Colts.

Connor Bailey scored a 15-point maximum for the Comets and lowered the track record, with his best support coming from Luke Harrison with 11.

Colts co-boss Steve Williams said: “We were quietly confident going into this meeting, given the amount of practice time the boys had had at Northside, but we weren’t complacent at any point.

“This was very much a team effort, from No.1 right through to No.7, and everyone was brilliant to fend off the challenge from the Comets.

“We’ve got two meetings left before the play-offs and it feels like everyone is coming good at the right time, so that does give us a psychological boost.

“We’re second in the table after Saturday but we really need to make the most of these final two meetings to finish the job and make sure we stay there.”

NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE
WORKINGTON 39: Connor Bailey 15, Luke Harrison 11, Elliot Kelly 6, Sam McGurk 5+1, Luke Crang 2+1, Harry McGurk 0, Callum Foy (no.8) 0, Ace Pijper r/r.
BELLE VUE 51: James Pearson 11+1, Sam Hagon 11+1, Luke Muff 8+2, Jack Smith 8+1, Freddy Hodder 7, Matt Marson 5+3, Jack Shimelt 1+1.
Belle Vue win the aggregate point.

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Photo credit: DAVE PAYNE