Basketball: Jets worry Tigers

CHESHIRE JETS lifted themselves from bottom place in the First Division of the Carlsberg League on Saturday then came within two shots of knocking the favourites, Thames Valley Tigers, out of the National Cup last night, writes Duncan Hooper.

The Jets, after beating Sunderland 78-65 to relegate them to the foot of the table, lost 76-71 to Tigers, who lead the league.

With under two minutes to go, Cheshire trailed by three points after 23 points from the former England international, Dave Gardner, had brought them back from a 43- 33 deficit at the interval. Guildford Kings, who meet Tigers in next Sunday's NatWest Trophy final in Birmingham, won 91-57 at Manchester Giants.

Leicester City Riders reached the last four of the cup by capitalising on the injuries which are ruining Derby Bucks' season. Gene Waldron, with 31 points, led the Riders to a 115-72 win.

Derby, without Mike Landell for the rest of the season, left Martin Ford on the sidelines with an ankle injury, while their returning player- coach, Terry Manghum, lacked match fitness. Derek Izilien failed to score or take any rebounds on his Derby debut and Lester Hood, criticised last week by Manghum, scored just two points. By contrast, Colin Irish scored 26 for Worthing Bears in their quarter-final win over Ware Rebels.