THE Durham Wildcats broke their BBL duck with some festive fireworks of their own on bonfire night, beating Cheshire Jets 74-72.

This was the first championship game of the season for the North-East side and the fixture did not disappoint.

Wildcats playcaller Dave Elderkin said: "It was a game of two halves but it was the win that mattered.

"Our first half was great and part of the reason for it was that we shot 60 per cent from the three point line, and we only had three turnovers for the half.

"Our defence started to find their rhythm and it really showed in the second period.

"We were complacent when we came out after the break, and credit to the Jets because they made it really hard for us.

"But what was good was that we switched back on and closed out a tough game."

The first period was a tentative affair with both teams trading baskets.

Durham trailed by two at 21-23 going into the second quarter.

The second period belonged entirely to the Wildcats as they restricted the Jets to a measly five points.

The home team's tight defence led to success at the other end, as Ralph Bucci and Fred Hinnenkamp led a 9-0 run to give Durham a big lead at 45-28 going into half-time.

The midway break did Elderkin's men no favours, as the Jets got themselves back into the game, taking the third period 30-12 as well as the overall lead 58-57.

It was the fourth and final period, however, that set Newton Aycliffe alight.

The teams traded baskets again, much like the first quarter, but with 2.20 left on the clock Durham trailed 66-70.

Four points from Hinnenkamp and a Mark Elderkin free throw gave them the advantage 71-70 with only 46 seconds left.

Bill Cole took back the lead for Jets with a pair of free throws himself.

With 20 seconds left and down 72-73, Durham's Obida Attah was fouled and held his nerve in the clutch, taking both points and the lead.

Attah was in action at the other end as he blocked Cheshire's last-ditch shot, was fouled himself and sank one of his two free throws to clinch the win.

Bucci led the scoring for Durham with 19 points and was supported well by US import Hinnenkamp, who had 16.

The Wildcats will be looking to make it back-to-back wins in the championship this Saturday as take their trade south to face the Worcester Wolves.