Teesside League

Darlington Devils lost pace with the leading pack when they went down at home by 90-85 against Norton.

The home side opened brightly and matched everything Norton threw at them as Glen Urban was again the visitors' main scoring threat. At the halfway stage Norton were up by three but Devils had Aaron Hope in shooting form and pulled back the deficit.

The game was drifting towards a final minute shoot-out but the home side got into foul trouble, allowing Norton points from the free throw line which they converted as the home side failed to match when given opportunity.

In the final winning margin Urban was again the man of the moment hitting 50 points assisted Paul Jenkins with 30.

Yarm Conyers recorded a much-needed win when they got the better of Middlesbrough College at home by 99-79. The tempo was set in the opening quarter as Mark Hawkins and Roland Todd gave the home side a lift and a lead of 22-14.

Although a bright spell in the following quarter saw the Students hit nine points without reply, gaining a one-point lead 30-29, Conyers hit back and led 43-34 at half-time. Their advantage was never threatened with Stanton and Todd, Rowden and Hawkins all getting into double figures as Tony Smelt again led College's scoring with 27.

Marske Mariners made the short trip to Nunthorpe to face East Cleveland Ruins who were able to keep pace with the visitors but Paul Neesam and Edwin Swain put Mariners in the driving seat at the break by eight points which they extended to 17 to win 62-45.

Thornaby were hopeful of inflicting a first defeat on Middlesbrough Maverick using home court advantage relying again on fast breaking and scoring from Steve Butler.

In a fast, competitive game Mavericks were unable to contain the all round scoring power of the visitors as Marek Pawlek powered inside as Ian Viveash used his outside shot to good effect. Thornaby lost any chance when Craig Hopwood and Darren Butler fouled out allowing Mavericks to coast to 78-58 victory. Steve Butler top scored with 35 and Pawlek led the winners scoring with 22.

Thirsk Vikings made the journey to Norton II and found themselves six points down in the opening quarter. Getting their game together they fired on all cylinders hitting 12 points without reply and a 20-13 lead at the end of the first ten minutes play. Vikings help together their lead 37-22 at half which they extended in the second periods as Chris Kiely was in top form hitting a total of 23 points in his side's 83-45 win. Moray Finch added 19, Craig Wakefield 12 and Colin Berens 13 for Vikings as Chris Ellis with 15 top scored for Norton.