Basketball

Yarm Conyers, struggling to get valuable training time on their home court due to necessary floor repairs resulting in closure, went down 60-42 in their opening league fixture against Norton 1.

The first quarter was an even period with Norton just shading it 13-10 but into the second period a gap developed, thanks to the all-round shooting of Adrian Smelt who scored 15 first-half points as Conyers trailed 30-20 at the break.

An injury to key player Roland Todd didn't help Conyers' cause but 18 points from Rick Rowdon kept Yarm in touch in the second half but unable to close the gap to challenge Norton who had enough in hand to finish comfortable winners by an 18 point margin.

The young Middlesbrough College side travelled to Darlington Devils and managed to trade basket for basket in the opening quarter and at the end of the first ten minutes found themselves 23-21 ahead. At the half way stage the College side still held the two point advantage at 41-39 but on the restart Devils put in some serious defensive play which restricted the visitors to seven points as they hit 18 points, Gavin Hope helping himself to four baskets.

Having opened up the gap, Devils played strong basketball with Grant Wakefield dominating the inside play and the Hope brothers, Grant and Aaron, polishing off the young College side, cruising to a 70-60 win. Wakefield top scored for Devils with 23 points and Butterworth hit 21 for the College.

In the second round of the Junior Girls Tournaments at The Rainbow Leisure Centre, Norton completely dominated an enthusiastic Brierton side to record their second league win, Claire Taylor unstoppable in the scoring.

A tighter game ensued as Egglescliffe gave a competent St Patrick's side a good run for their money before going down by 32-27. Marske Mermaids opened their account with a 26-19 win against St Patrick's B as Sara Brand top scored for Marske with 12 points. LJS Guisborough enhanced their chances of finiishing near the top with a second win as the tournament schedule continues on Sunday.