Cadle eyes Europe

BASKETBALL

Kevin Cadle, the London Towers' coach who won the Budweiser League title in four successive seasons with Glasgow Rangers and Kingston, accepts he and the remainder of the division's top group are now in a battle for the runners-up place behind Sheffield Sharks.

"I can't see anyone catching them now," Cadle said. "The rest of us have to go for a top four place to get home advantage in the play-offs and to qualify for Europe."

Despite last weekend's defeat against Manchester Giants, Sheffield are 10 points clear of second-placed Doncaster Panthers, who have three games in hand and are at home to London tomorrow.

Doncaster must beat London, who are just two points behind them, and hope Sheffield lose at home tomorrow in the first of three league clashes with the defending champions, Thames Valley Tigers.

Sheffield are on course to emulate Kingston's record for the biggest winning margin for a championship team - 10 pointsover Sunderland in 1991.

London scored 19 of the game's last 21 points in three minutes to beat Derby 74-64 on Thursday.