Basketball: Jets on new flight path

A former Cinderella team clearly intend to stay at the ball this season. Chester Jets' 88-77 win at Derby Storm on Saturday was their third out of four in the Budweiser League, where they are overtaking the millionaire- backed Manchester Giants as the North-west's leading club.

After five seasons in the league's basement, the Jets finished fifth last season and reached the League Trophy final. This season, Chester's only loss has been at London Towers on the opening weekend.

Chester's back-court pairing of 6ft 5in Americans Sean Bell and Brian Lloyd is the tallest in the league. Bell dunked over Derby's 6ft 7in American forward John Stevens on Saturday.

Singleton's power was by-passed by London Towers on Saturday as the visitors hit five three-pointers, including three from Paul Deppisch, on their way to a 99-77 win and top place.

Giants, bankrolled by pharmaceutical millionaire Bill Cook, won their first game, beating Crystal Palace 89-70. Tony Dorsey's free throws gave Birmingham Bullets a 69-67 win over Newcastle Eagles.

- Richard Taylor