Basketball: Kings in chase for a crown

THE Guildford Kings are doing everything they can to steer Worthing Bears towards the Carlsberg League championship, but at the Doncaster Dome tomorrow they intend postponing a little longer the moment when the south coast club take the first major trophy in their history, writes Duncan Hooper.

Worthing and Guildford meet in the National Cup final in front of a capacity crowd of 1,900 to settle the third title of the season, following Thames Valley Tigers' triumphs in the WICB and the NatWest Trophy. Tigers' season began to fall apart with an unexpected First Division defeat at Derby two weeks ago and then Guildford beat them 89-85 last Friday to leave the Bears four points clear of Thames Valley at the top of the table.

Determined as they are to retain the cup, if Guildford lose it is in their interests that Worthing go on also to win the league. Worthing would then enter next season's European Clubs' Championship, leaving Guildford to take their place in the European Cup, formerly the Cup-Winners' Cup.

Both clubs have injury worries. Alton Byrd has missed three games since further damaging his knee following an operation and the Guildford coach, Kevin Cadle, said that he probably would not play. In that event, Karl Brown would partner Lorenzo Duncan in the back court.

Worthing's leading scorer Colin Irish has not trained since spraining an ankle last weekend.