Basketball: Hayles steals show from Globetrotters

Six thousand fans went to Wembley Arena on Saturday night to pay homage to Kareem Abdul- Jabbar's "sky hook'', but those who were there early enough were left marvelling at Michael Hayles' three-point shot, writes Duncan Hooper.

The Thames Valley veteran nailed eight three-pointers from long range, out of a game-high total of 32 points, but could not save the Tigers from a 79-69 defeat against London Towers in the Budweiser League warm-up to Abdul-Jabbar's All Stars taking on the Harlem Globetrotters.

Hayles' eighth three-pointer was followed by team-mate Tony Holley tying the scores on 61-61, but Tigers failed to score for the next five minutes as Steve Bucknall and Martin Henlan inspired a 15-0 London surge.

Abdul-Jabbar, now a lumbering 7ft 2in legend who won more NBA honours with the Los Angeles Lakers than any other player, led his team of former professionals in the first of three dates with the new look Globetrotters, who play to win rather than just for fun.