BASKETBALL: THE Blue Devils produced a fantastic performance to come away from Mansfield with a victory.

Bury started strongly, taking an 8-2 lead with four points from Lauren Wright and two each from Melissa Hills and Michelle Rawlinson.

Mansfield responded strongly and clawed their way back into the game to pull the score back to 12-12 a minute before the end of the quarter, but a Zoe Newcombe three pointer and two from Wright ensured Bury led by three at the break.

Bury started the second quarter impressively and Wright, Rawlinson and Hayes allowed Bury netted to put Bury 25-16 ahead.

However, Mansfield roared back to make it 30-27 at half-time.

The third quarter was a cagey affair as Mansfield tried to neutralise the double threat of Wright and Newcombe and Bury, with unfamiliar combinations on court, struggled to find a rhythm especially since Hayes, Newcombe and Wright had not had any rest.

The Blue Devils’ defence remained strong, preventing easy chances for Mansfield and with seven points from Newcombe, four from Hayes, three from Wright and two from Briacz, Bury were still ahead by three, 43-40, at the end of the third quarter.

Blue Devils started the final quarter with a Newcombe three pointer but Mansfield responded and half way through the last quarter Bury’s lead was down to two, 46-44.

Blue Devils were not going to be denied however, and great defence in the final five minutes saw Bury go on a 13-0 run in which everyone contributed to make the game safe as Bury ran out comfortable winners in the end.

Scorers: Z Newcombe 19 L Wright 17, K Hayes 8, M Rawlinson 8, M Hills 6, S Briacz 2, A Critchley 2.