Stable Siemon unseats Riders

Basketball

Hemel Royals' American Jason Siemon kept on the right side of the officials at the Granby Halls on Saturday night and the result was a 79-64 victory for the Budweiser League's bottom club over fellow strugglers Leicester City Riders.

The 6ft 9in Siemon has fouled out of 10 games this season after spending last summer in Australia, where he averaged 34 points and 13 rebounds per game.

Hemel director Vince Razaq said: "Of the 14 games we've lost this season, nine were by six points or less, and I put that down to Jason fouling out. I think the officials in Australia must have let him play a much more physical game than they do in our league."

Siemon contributed 20 points to support 25 from fellow American Ray Shultz, as Hemel restricted Leicester's leading American Rich Aigner, to five points from the field and 12 free throws.

A three pointer from Alan Hopper gave Hemel the lead for the first time at 49-48 as the Royals launched a 21-6 surge to move to two points behind Leicester and Chester Jets, who won 102-81 at Newcastle Comets on Friday.

London Towers kept their edge at the top of the table with a 79-66 win at Thames Valley Tigers.