Basketball: Gregory strikes late to hold off Sheffield

Chester Jets used their BBL Trophy safety net to the limit against Sheffield Sharks at Ponds Forge on Saturday night, where they lost by 23 points but still qualified for the semi-finals at Birmingham's Aston Events Centre on Saturday 8 February.

Sharks had to win by 24 to replace Chester, the holders, at the top of North Group 1 to go through. They led by 25 with seconds to go, but Kenny Gregory launched a jump shot as he fell away from the basket and the ball hit the back of the rim before dropping through the hoop to cut Sharks' final winning margin to 107-84. Gregory led the Jets with 21 points.

Justin Phoenix, who now begins a two-game ban and will miss next Saturday's BBL Championship clash with the Jets, led the Sheffield scorer's with 23 points, ahead of two more Americans, Jerry Williams and Rob Yanders.

The Jets will play Newcastle Eagles in the semi-finals and London Towers face Birmingham Bullets, who will be on their own court, in the other tie.

But home advantage was of little use on Saturday when they lost 81-72 against Milton Keynes Lions, as the Bullets fell to their 10th defeat out of 11 to leave them cemented to bottom place in the Championship. Bullets composure deserted them over the final two minutes on Saturday after a 5-0 run cut the Lions' lead to 73-72. The Bullets failed to score again after Andrew Alleyne reopened a three-point lead and the Lions scored the last six points from the foul line.

Two free throws from TJ Walker clinched a 101-97 win for Newcastle Eagles at London Towers, while a three-pointer from Michael Nurse 10 seconds from time gave Thames Valley Tigers their first lead of the night and the 92-91 win at Edinburgh Rocks.