Basketball: Sharks leave it late again

Sheffield Sharks 86 Derby Storm 69

Having gained a place in the League trophy final, the Sharks added to the jam at the top of the league with another fourth quarter sprint to victory last night. As in Wednesday's Trophy semi-final first-leg win over Greater London Leopards, Sheffield again clinched victory at Ponds Forge in the final 10 minutes.

The Storm were only blown aside after Wilbur Johnson added some fire and intensity to Sheffield's defence, allowing Mark Robinson, Terrell Myers and John Amaechi to profit at the other end. The win takes Sheffield alongside Newcastle on 34 points, two points behind joint leaders Leopards, Birmingham and London Towers.

Derby ran the first quarter, opening a 25-17 lead, but hit the self-destruct button in the second to let Sharks open a 37-33 lead and Derby never led again.

SCORERS: Sheffield Amaechi 24, Robinson 16, Johnson 16. Derby Rutledge 23, Windless 22.