BURY Blue Devils missed out on the double after losing 90-62 to St Helens in the Manchester Area Basketball League Championship play-off final.

Promotion to the Premiership was already assured going into the play-off after securing the title with a final game victory against runners-up St Helens to end the regular season.

But their title rivals put in an impressive display to spoil the Blue Devils' end-of-season party.

St Helens came out with great intensity, catching Bury unawares getting baskets in transition and hitting shots from the outside.

The Blue Devils were also a step behind defensively as St Helens appeared determined to avenge 20-point losses in their two previous meetings, and they ended the first quarter 28-14 in front.

St Helens kept their foot on the gas, extending their lead with great ball movement and shooting, but Bury's Phil Stainton went on a one-man scoring spree, netting 14 points to help Bury pull within 10 at half time.

Blue Devils' recovery stalled after the break as their rivals opened up their lead back to 19 points after forcing Bury into a series of turnovers and restricting scoring chances.

After going into the final quarter leading 75-51, St Helens rotated their bench well and finished with a flurry of baskets, ending the game with a 75 per cent shot accuracy.

Stainton did his bit to force a win for Bury, scoring 32 points in a great individual performance.