Basketball: Scantlebury lifts London

A WEEKEND jaunt to play in Ireland cost Thames Valley Tigers their place in the top four of the Budweiser League, London Towers and Guildford Kings overtaking them to tuck in behind Manchester Giants and the leaders, Worthing Bears, writes Duncan Hooper.

London, still playing without any foreign imports, moved to third position with an 80-66 win over Hemel Royals, who were without the suspended Mike Carty. Richard Scantlebury led the scoring with 26 points for London, who sealed victory with a 10-0 run to open a 73-51 lead four minutes from time.

Guildford rested the injured Martin Henlan and the American guard Lorenzo Duncan in the 115-60 win at Oldham Celtics, who sacked their coach and both foreign players last week.

Henlan, who has tendinitis, and Duncan are expected to play on Wednesday when Guildford are home to Limoges, the French holders, in their semi-final group of the European Clubs' Championship.