Basketball: Royals sack on schedule

Watford Royals changed their name, their venue, their coach and most of their players for the new Budweiser campaign, but following the same schedule as last season they have sacked their coach, with club director Vince Razaq taking over.

Last season, defeat at Sheffield on 4 October cost Mark Dunning his job as coach to Hemel Royals; last Saturday at Thames Valley Tigers saw the end for Dana Beszczynski.

"It's only a temporary measure," Razaq said. "We need to see who is around and we have to get the decision right this time.

Unfortunately for Razaq, tonight's opponents, Manchester Giants, have relieved the pressure on their own coach, Jim Brandon, with two wins after losing their first three games. They capitalised on an injury to Billy Singleton last Sunday to beat Leicester City Riders 89-73.