Sharks on attack to sink Cup holders

Basketball: Sheffield Sharks 99 Leicester Riders 76

Leicester Riders, the National Cup holders, lost their title with a 99-76 defeat against Sheffield Sharks in the quarter-finals at Coventry's Skydome.

Leicester Riders, the National Cup holders, lost their title with a 99-76 defeat against Sheffield Sharks in the quarter-finals at Coventry's Skydome last night. Last season the Cup and Championship brought the Riders the first silverware in the club's history, but the Cup was soon slipping out of their grasp last night as the Sharks had a 21-4 run in the first quarter.

Riders failed to produce one of their famed comebacks, and even a 13-4 run in the third quarter only cut Sheffield's lead to 17 points. Peter Scantlebury and Jeff Monaco opened the final quarter with one three-pointer each for a 71-51 lead, and even a game high 27 points from Jermaine Brown could not save the Riders.

Chester Jets join the Sharks in the last four after defeating Newcastle Eagles 92-83. A 13-1 run cut Chester's lead to 82-79, but seven points from John McCord steered Jets home.

Thames Valley Tigers beat Milton Keynes Lions 83-70 in the first quarter-final of the day.