Basketball: Tigers on top as Nurse cures ills

Thames Valley Tigers plainly like the new National League format for the BBL Championship. Last season Tigers finished bottom of the now defunct Southern Conference, but this morning lead the Championship after back-to-back wins over two of the leading title contenders, London Towers and Chester Jets.

Tigers' new American import Michael Nurse delivered the crucial blow on both nights. On Saturday two free throws from the former Iowa State guard clinched a 91-88 win over Towers at Crystal Palace, then last night his three-pointer 14 seconds from time gave Tigers a 76-75 lead at Chester.

Chester's next offence ended when the American Calvin Davis committed a charging foul, leaving Barry Bowman to seal the defending champions' fate from the free throw line to win 78-75.

In the National Cup Sheffield Sharks and Leicester Riders, who have won the title three times in the last four years between them, both went out in the first round.

Riders, winners two seasons ago, lost 98-97 at the NBL Conference side Teesside Mohawks after a six-hour delay on the journey north when the M1 was closed on Saturday afternoon. Free throws from Jason Swaine and Ralph Bucci closed the door on Leicester.

Sheffield, winners in 1999 and 2000, lost 80-78 against Newcastle Eagles after T J Walker scored for the visitors five seconds from time. Eagles' Ricki Arinze had 25 points and 14 rebounds.