Basketball: Leopards kill Tigers' roll

Sheffield Sharks, London Towers and Greater London Leopards last night claimed places in the semi-finals of the League Trophy. Leopards' victory ensured that no single club will sweep the titles this season. They defeated Thames Valley Tigers just five days after the Bracknell club had lifted the National Cup.

Leopards' 95-87 victory at Bracknell earned an aggregate win by 178-166 after they turned the game with a 10-0 run to lead 61-50 in the third quarter.

At Leicester, the Riders' season continued to disintegrate as Saturday's Cup final defeat was followed by an exit from the trophy at the hands of Sheffield. Leicester lost the first leg by only three points, but that was before Gene Waldron broke his leg in the final.

The athleticism and power of Wilbur Johnson and John Amaechi exposed the labouring Billy Singleton and James Havrilla as the Sharks cruised in by 99-83 to win 196-177 on aggregate.

Manchester Giants salvaged a 69-69 tie in their second leg with Towers but the London club, and holders, went through 159-138 on aggregate. Newcastle will defend a four-point lead in their second leg at Birmingham on Saturday.