Basketball: All Star game scoops record sponsorship

The Basketball League has scooped the sport's largest single-game sponsorship, of around pounds 50,000, from Dairylea Dunkers, for the All Star game at Sheffield Arena on 22 March.

Dairylea is relaunching its existing Handisnacks brand as Dunkers for the game, which is being screened by Sky TV in a four and a half hour live broadcast which tips off with Sheffield Sharks' Budweiser League game against Birmingham Bullets. The North All Star team beat the South 162-148 last season and lead the series 5-4.

Three clubs scrambling to qualify for the play-off quarter-finals, plus bottom of the table Watford Royals, beat yesterday's transfer deadline with new signings. Manchester Giants signed the former Derby Storm American Steve McGlothin, Chester Jets replaced injured Sean Bell with his fellow American Troy Hood, while Crystal Palace provided a League first by signing a Panamanian, Eric Cardenas.

Watford's first league win of the season last weekend was followed by the departure of Jimmy Ratliff. He has been replaced by John Wassenbergh.

- Richard Taylor