Basketball

Thirsk Vikings are still looking for a first league win of the season following an eight-point defeat against Thornaby but had to rely on a strong junior contingent. In the first quarter Thirsk were very much in the game, trailing 18-14. Strong shooting from Steve Butler helped the visitors to a 40-22 half time lead. Vikings modified their defence and put together an excellent third quarter team performance to come within four points of the lead. Although winning both the third and fourth quarters Vikings fell to a final spurt from Thornaby who pulled clear by 72-60. A big game from veteran Moray Finch kept Vikings in the hunt with a 10-year record points score of 22. Steve Butler tormented with 24 for thornaby.

Marske Mariners hosted Darlington Devils and the visitors moved rapidly into the lead with good team play to lead 48-32 at the break. Mariners rallied through Paul Neesam well supported by two juniors Lewis Tovey and Edwin Swain but Devils kept their lead. Neesam's 32 points won the second half for Mariners but was not enough as Devils were victors 86-78. Double figure scorers for Devils were Craig Dawson, Rachel Patterson, Gavin Hope and Grant Wakefield.

Middlesbrough Mavericks were too much for young Yarm Conyers who never gave up the fight as they went down 125-47. Ian Viveash hit 48 for Mavericks who remain unbeaten in the league.

Tigers found no difficulty accounting for Middlesbrough College side as they dominated both backboards and played tight defence. Tigers led 52-29 at the half and continued their assault in the second period although Smelt, Butterworth and Lindsey all made double figures for College but were unable to stop Lee Woollams with 38 and Steve Cowell hitting 26 in Tigers' 100-62 win.

In the National Founders Cup, Middlesbrough Mavericks are the sole representatives from the North-East and are drawn in a pool of four other clubs representing Nottingham, Derby, Doncaster and Huddersfield. The pool winners go through to the competition quarter-finals played in January.

NBL Conference

P W L Pts

Coventry Crusaders 3 3 0 6

Plymouth Raiders 2 2 0 4

Sutton Pumas 3 2 1 4

Teesside Mohawks 3 2 1 4

Worthing Thunder 2 1 1 2

Manchester Magic 3 1 2 2

Solent Stars 3 0 3 0

Inter-Basket London 3 0 3 0

Men's National Trophy

Pool A

Teesside Mohawks 6 6 0 12

Manchester Magic 5 3 2 6

Birmingham Aces 5 2 3 4

Liverpool 6 0 5 0

l Mohawks are at home to Kingston in the quarter-finals of the National Trophy and the other pairings are: Plymouth v Worthing, Oxford v Cardiff, Inter Basket (London) v Manchester or Birmingham (playing on Sunday). Ties to be played November 18 and 19