Basketball

Despite this, the home side started brightly with a 9-0 run. However Consett's main problem this year has been reacting to scoring runs by opposing teams quickly and preventing too much damage. Yet again, they failed to do so and the tables turned during a run of 19 to 4 to Belmont. Closing the period equally strong the visitors found themselves 30 to 18 up after ten minutes. The second period was the lowest scoring for both teams, and one of the closer fought. Matt Patterson did most of Consett's scoring, bagging 8 of the 14 points totalled whilst McManus Scored just under half of Belmont's second period total of 16. At half time the home side were looking at a possible heavy defeat, 14 points behind at 32-46. Consett managed to pick up their scoring in the third but Belmont's team offence and swift movement of the ball meant they too were able to increase their scoring rate. Tough defence meant that no matter what Consett tried they were always kept at bay and prevented from cutting into Belmont's lead. With one period to play the home side trailed by 19 at 51-70. Belmont had completed the hard work and headed into the final period with a large lead to protect. Consett on the other hand were looking to trim the difference and possibly stage a comeback. However, Belmont set about protecting their lead efficiently and kept their lead around the 17-point mark for the start of the period. Only with the game lost, did Consett manage to stage a run, eventually chipping into Belmont's lead. But it was too late for any heroics and Belmont comfortably held on to win by 11. Consett 75, Belmont 85.

Matt Patterson was the game high scorer with 31 and was supported with 16 from Mark Ewen and 11 From Dan Patterson. A fantastic team performance saw Belmont's scoring well spread with four players into double figures and two narrowly missing out. M Elderkin led the visitors with 22, McManus added 17. P Elderkin wasn't far behind with 15, whilst Waldock chipped in with 10.

Division Three

'Steve Whitehead' Middlesbrough Mavericks v East Durham & Houghall Comm. College A

In an enthralling for the neutral basketball fans Middlesbrough started the game as if expecting to lose, There was no confidence in the home team as they fell behind 2-9 after five minutes. A rally saw them close the gap briefly only for a Davie run to extend the run once again for College, giving them the first quarter lead. The Mavericks began to move better in the second quarter as a fast and furious start. The lead seemed to sent the Mavs to sleep and a subsequent 12 point College run gave the away team the edge again. The Mavs were able to stop the rot but continually outplayed by East Durham as they held a 14 point lead at the half. The Mavericks second half team were a reformed outfit, changing their defence and upping the tempo, seemed to shake up College who were not able to match the power and pace. The lead College held was reduced to only four points at the beginning of the final quarter. In the final period the Mavs piled on the defensive pressure restricting their opponents to fifteen points whilst being able to add a further 27. Running out 93-85 winners the Mavericks were able to maintain their unbeaten league record.

Top scorers: Mavericks: Liam O'Donohue 34, Ian Viveash 25, Wayne Bailey 19 Cougars Dale Burrell 23, L Davie 16, Ian Barrow 14, Barry Fenwick 13.

'Specsavers' Wear Valley Wild Dawgs v Belmont Cougars

A game were the three-point shot was king started evenly and competitively as neither team was able to establish superiority. The third quarter was the decisive twist as Cougars were able 14-point lead, helped in no small part by the excellent outside shooting of Harrison, claiming seven long range bombs. Martyn Hirst also collected five of his own for the Dogs but the lead was too much for to get back in ten minutes as the Cougars won the battle of the cats and dogs 75-61.

Top scorers: Wild Dawgs: James Anderson 24, Martyn Hirst 16. Cougars: Lloyd Harrison 25, David Waldock 15, Paul Elderkin 12, Craig Stamp 11.

Division One Cup

'Steve Whitehead' Middlesbrough Mavericks v Willington Wasps

Wasps started this cup match the better of the two team as the Mavericks seemed to have an extended Christmas hangover, the opening period ending up in the Wasps favour 20-11. The second period saw the home team start to wake as they managed to stay in contention as the lead was cut to just seven points by the end the half. The second half saw the Mavericks claw their way back with more aplomb as Middlesbrough continued their assault. Both teams fought hard for possesion down the stretch and two quick spells of Wasps dominance, lead by Campbell, extended their lead to nine points with five minutes left in the contest. Viveash's top form was enough to reduce the lead once more for the Mavericks. Middlesbrough then managed to take the lead for only the second time, only for any hopes of a victory for the home team to dissipated as the wasps controlled the final two minutes of the game. Sam Scorer, Pape and Baxter put the final touches to a 85-78 victory for Willington.

Top scorers: Mavericks: Ian Viveash 34, Liam O'Donohue 19, Marek Pawlak 14. Wasps: Graham Pape 26, Paul Campbell 25, Neil Baxter 15.

Division Three Cup

Young Houghtonians v Belmont Cougars

This game was a game of consistency as Belmont regularly scored and were able to spread the possession and scoring duties to most of the squad. Once again the inexperienced youngsters of Houghton relied heavily on Paul Carr as well as Colin Robertson who provided most of the fire power whilst on the other side of the ball Belmont attacked with aggression and purpose taking the game 55-32.

Top scorers: Houghton: Colin Robinson 12, Paul Carr 11. Belmont: Paul Carr 19, David Waldock 18.