Tony Hand feels Manchester Phoenix have one foot in the Challenge Cup final after winning 5-2 at Basingstoke.

David Beauregard scored twice with Adam Walker, Josh Garbutt and Bruce Mulherin completing a semi-final first-leg win.

The player-coach said: "We played well, took our chances and established a good lead to take into the second leg.

"To bring a three-goal margin home with us is very pleasing. We've given ourselves an excellent chance of making it to the final."

He added: "Basingstoke won't lie down and we'll need to approach the second leg in a solid professional manner, not get complacent and take anything for granted."

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