Teesside Mohawks became the first team to achieve a hat-trick of wins in the National Trophy - and they did it in style, defeating new boys Inter-Basket London 96-58.

Now Mohawks, coach Tony Hanson must bring his high-flying squad back down to earth in preparation for Sunday's home Conference League game - against Inter-Basket.

Mohawks will need to guard against a backlash and the club will remember the events of a year ago.

The Teesside outfit defeated Worthing in the final of the National Trophy and the Sussex club travelled north the following week - and took the points.

Mohawks, already facing a difficult task to take the title - they have twice lost to leaders Plymouth must make sure that history does not repeat itself.

The Eston-basked outfit showed no mercy on the London side who were clearly suffering from nerves in their first major final and suffered stage fright.

In a relentless assault on the capital club's basket, Mohawks blazed to a history-making success.

Trevor Lowes, Mohawks general manager, said: "I would think that coming back to the hum-drum of the Conference they will have none of the nerves which they had at Sheffield. I'm sure they'll be out to prove that they are not as bad as the final scoreline suggested."

While the club wrote themsevles into the history books with their hat-trick of wins there were record-breaking individual performances at Sheffield.

Dennis Ley picked up his fourth consecutive winners' medal and Ralph Bucci received the Most Valuable Player award for the third successive year.

New Yorker Bucci was without doubt the game's outstanding performer, picking up a game-high 25 points and adding 13 rebounds - 12 of them in a tremendous defensive display - and four steals.

Main backing came from Corey Jackson on 16 points while Jason Swaine sank a trio of three-point baskets in his 14 points and Ley scored 13.

l See back page for jubilant Mohawks team picture.