DEVILS STUN COLTS

ARMADALE threw a huge late curveball into the National Development League play-off race by beating Belle Vue 51-36 – to rule the Colts out of a top four finish.

The Devils moved off the bottom of the table with their victory and with the visitors not taking the league point they required, it means Oxford hold on for a play-off place.

Danny Phillips top-scored against his old club with 14 points, losing out only to Jake Mulford in Heat 3, whilst Lee Complin added 11. Mulford scored 13+1 for the Colts.

Armadale boss Alex Harkess said: “The Devils did very well, there really was a bit of fight about them.

“The track was tricky obviously but it was the same for both teams. All of our side gave something, we got off to a great start and kept it going!”

Colts reserve Archie Freeman said: “We’re all bitterly disappointed that our play-off chase had to end this way. We felt good going into this meeting but sadly our league title hopes for this year are dashed.

“It was a challenging night right from the start, with track conditions very tricky after all the rain that had fallen earlier in the day.

“And then to learn that we didn’t have Nathan [Ablitt] before we’d even turned a wheel was a huge blow, but the boys pulled together and did the best job that we could.”

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Photo credit: JACK CUPIDO