Basketball: Towers feast on Tigers

THAMES VALLEY Tigers lost their appetite and were unable even to frighten an under-strength London Towers at the Sobell Centre on Saturday, where their unbeaten Budweiser League record ended with a 96-80 defeat, writes Duncan Hooper.

London's coach, Mark Dunning, saw his team feast themselves on a points haul that was more than 20 above the average conceded by Thames Valley last season.

Dunning, a former Thames Valley coach, said: 'We've no money, no Americans, no height and we only get a handful through the door to watch us. I've four players I can rely on - Joel Moore, Richard Scantlebury, Andrew Bailey and Solomon Ayinla - and if any one of them is not at full power I have problems.'

Ayinla, a 6ft 3in forward signed from Brixton, ridiculed Tigers height advantage with blocked shots, dunks and rebounds while Scantlebury contributed 28 points.

Tigers could not hold a lead beyond the opening two minutes. The coach Mick Bett was non-plussed and said: 'We didn't have the commitment on defence. We just aren't hungry for it any more and I either have to change their attitude or change them.'

Worthing Bears stayed two points clear of the table with their 91-85 win at Birmingham, but Guildford Kings are now the only unbeaten team in the League after stopping Sunderland 87-79.

Results, Sporting Digest, page 31