Basketball: Harrison keeps Jets in cruise mode

A capacity crowd of 6,000 at the Telewest Arena roared Newcastle Eagles to a 105-84 victory over Birmingham Bullets last night, but the BBL's second-placed club could not close the gap on Chester Jets, who defeated Scottish Rocks 90-80 at the Northgate Arena.

A capacity crowd of 6,000 at the Telewest Arena roared Newcastle Eagles to a 105-84 victory over Birmingham Bullets last night, but the BBL's second-placed club could not close the gap on Chester Jets, who defeated Scottish Rocks 90-80 at the Northgate Arena.

The Eagles are two points behind the Jets with a game in hand, but Chester have the title under control with seven games left, one of them with the Eagles. The Chester coach Paul Smith said: "Our destiny is in our own hands. If we win them all then we are the champions."

D J Harrison led all scorers with 24 points for the Jets, who took control with a 6-0 run to close the first quarter 21-14. After the Rocks came back to trail 82-77 in the fourth, Jets closed out the win with an 8-3 run.

Birmingham, certain to finish bottom in the table for the second successive season, were always going to struggle without the suspended LaTaryl Williams and the Eagles went out of sight with a 14-5 burst to lezad 40-24. Jeremy Hyatt, who led their scorers with 26 points, will be in action tonight when Eaglesgo to London Towers. Chester visit Brighton Bears.