International duo defect to Towers

Basketball

Basketball

The England internationals Steve Bucknall and Neville Austin have quit Thames Valley Tigers to join their Budweiser League rivals London Towers, writes Duncan Hooper.

The moves come 10 days before the start of the domestic season, with both clubs engaged in European competition next week. London must pay pounds 7,500 for the 6ft 10in Austin, but Tigers gain nothing from Bucknall's move as the 6ft 5in forward has a free-transfer clause.

The Tigers coach, Mick Bett, said: "It's a blow to lose them both, but we saw it coming. After the Wembley play-offs last May we tried to re- sign all our players. Steve told us then he was looking to move but Neville strung us out for a while."

Towers have also signed Andy Gardiner from Derby Storm, and retained both Americans, Danny Lewis and Tony Windless, plus the international trio Martin Henlan, Joel Moore and Mark Hubbard.

Tigers have signed Carl Miller from London Leopards.

Both clubs stage first-round, first-leg European ties next week. Tigers play Frolunda, of Sweden, in the European Cup and Towers face Racing Club Paris in the Korac Cup.