Riders in rush to sign forward

The double champions Leicester Riders recovered from their opening night defeat at Birmingham Bullets with an 83-80 win over Brighton Bears on Saturday, but now face a race to boost their line-up ahead of three games in four days beginning on Thursday.

Coach Billy Mims, whose team won the Championship Play-off final and National Cup last season, said: "We've identified the player we want. A 6ft 8in power forward who can rebound, defend and score inside." But with Ralph Blalock and the so far disappointing Jon Gaines and Jermaine Brown filling the three work permit slots, Mims' search is restricted to a player who through residency, marriage or parentage does not need a permit.

Riders visit the Southern Conference champions London Towers on Thursday, then face Newcastle Eagles and Chester Jets at the weekend. "We need the new player here in time, but it could be tight clearing the paperwork." Blalock, adjusting to a new role at point guard, Brown and Gaines were anonymous in the 87-63 defeat at Birmingham, but Blalock wrested control from Brighton's Randy Duck on Saturday as the Riders pulled away in the fourth quarter with a flurry of three-pointers.

Towers needed a three-point play 10 seconds from time by John White to beat Edinburgh Rocks 65-64 at Crystal Palace, while White's former club, London Leopards, lost 96-90 in overtime at Thames Valley Tigers.

The debut defeat for the Leopards coach Chris Pullem, who inherited the team of the departed Bob Donewald, saw the new signing Martin Henlan force overtime at 82-82 with his only basket. But Tigers made a 9-1 start to the extra period with their new guard, Barry Bowman, leading all scorers with 38 points.

Calvin Davis led all scorers with 26 points for Chester Jets as they won 97-70 at Derby Storm.