WOLVERHAMPTON remain on course to finish top of the Premiership after a stunning 46-44 win at in-form Sheffield.

Reserve Ryan Douglas carded a brilliant 16-point haul to support fellow Aussie Sam Masters who won three successive heats in his 11-point score.

There was some entertaining racing in front of a bumper crowd with the home side going 14-10 up after four heats.

Wolverhampton pulled level with a 4-2 in Heat 6 as Douglas held off a brave charge from Josh Pickering.

And Parrys International Wolves went ahead for the first time when reserve sub Douglas, in for Leon Flint, won Heat 8 with Broc Nicol third for a 4-2.

But Sheffield bounced back and pulled level with a 5-1 from Jack Holder and Josh Pickering - who pipped Nick Morris on the line - to make it 30-30.

By the end of Heat 14, after another Douglas win with Leon Flint pulling off a vital third over home skipper Kyle Howarth the match was won.

Sheffield gained a consolation 5-1 to deny Wolves a fourth league point - but three gives them pole position to finish on top.

With King’s Lynn also failing to beat Peterborough at home, it means the Parrys International Wolves have already mathematically booked their place in the end of season play-offs.

Team manager Peter Adams said: “We had to battle hard and we were fortunate in having Ryan Douglas scoring so freely in the reserve position.

“We managed to squeeze all his seven quota of rides in and he was the star of the show for us.

“Everybody fought tooth and nail though because we wanted to win here.”

Parrys International Wolves head to Ipswich next Thursday (August 19, 7.30) with club captain Rory Schlein defending his British Championship title at Belle Vue this coming Monday (August 16, 7.30).

SHEFFIELD 44: Jack Holder 11, Stefan Nielsen 10+1, Adam Ellis 9+2, Kyle Howarth 6, Josh Pickering 5+1, Danyon Hume 3+1, Troy Batchelor 0.

WOLVERHAMPTON 46: Ryan Douglas 16, Sam Masters 11, Nick Morris 7, Rory Schlein 7, Luke Becker 2+1, Broc Nicol 2, Leon Flint 1.

Picture: CHARLOTTE FLANIGAN