Basketball: Holders in the groove

GUILDFORD KINGS proved they can remember how to win a knock-out tie when they held Leicester City Riders scoreless for nearly seven minutes while running up 19 points on the way to a 64-55 victory in the quarter- finals of the National Cup at the Granby Halls on Saturday, writes Duncan Hooper.

The Riders led until the 29th minute. With Martin Henlon and Martin Clark struggling to find their touch, Leicester's American John Tresvant closed the first half with a dunk for a 34-31 lead and the Riders led 48-37 as Guildford found the basket just three times in the first nine minutes of the second period.

Leicester were penalised for eight consecutive fouls, a sequence which included Dave Harris fouling out, as Henlon played his way into the game with six free throws, while Clark scored nine points.

Manchester Giants also hit a rich seam, outscoring Birmingham Bullets 18-2 for a 99-85 win, while Thames Valley Tigers reached the last four by winning 89-80 at Sunderland Scorpions.