OXFORD Chargers beat Belle Vue Colts at Sandy Lane to leapfrog their rivals in the National Development League.

The hosts’ 48-41 win was enough to see them climb to third in the table, two points above their opponents.

It cemented Chargers’ place in the top four, with fifth-place Mildenhall Fen Tigers now eight points behind, albeit with two meetings in hand.

The home side were without the injured Nathan Stoneman, but two more of their main men stepped up to the plate.

Henry Atkins top-scored with 15+1, while captain Jordan Jenkins also starred as he collected 12+2.

Former Chargers guest Adam Roynon kept Belle Vue in the contest with 14, but the hosts claimed a 5-1 in the decider to secure victory.

The Sandy Lane outfit can further strengthen their play-off challenge when they host Mildenhall on Wednesday, August 24, their third from final regular season fixture.

SCORERS

OXFORD 48: Henry Atkins 15+1, Jordan Jenkins 12+2, Jody Scott 8+1, Sam Hagon 6, Arran Butcher 5+2, Jacob Clouting 2+1, Nathan Stoneman r/r.

BELLE VUE 41: Adam Roynon 14, Jack Smith 11+1, Freddy Hodder 6+3, Jake Mulford 6, Archie Freeman 4, Sam McGurk 0, Harry McGurk r/r.

NDL points: Oxford 3, Belle Vue 0.