Basketball

Nine unanswered points by Belmont in two minutes saw the first quarter close at 23-14 in favour of Willington. The second quarter was spent trading baskets until the final minute when Willington scored eight unanswered points.

Knox sunk a three-pointer in the closing stages of the quarter to keep Belmont in touch as the half finished 49-33 in favour of Willington. The third quarter was pretty uneventful with Willington scoring 14 and Belmont scoring 15.

The fourth quarter started with both teams trading baskets and it looked like that was how the game was to end.

Between the seventh and ninth minute, Belmont out scored Willington 13-2. The lead was cut to eight points. Willington called a time out to try and stop a rampant Belmont. Willington hung onto the game in the end. Final score 84-74.

Top scorers: Willington: Paul Campbell 32, Somerville 14, Ben Scorer 13. Belmont: Andrew Knox 17, Graham 17, Ian Davies 11.

RESULT: Willington Wasps 84 Belmont Panthers 74. Top scorers: Willington: Paul Campbell 36, Ben Scorers 13. Belmont: Andrew Knox 17, Steven Graham 17, Richard Huntley 11.

Division One Cup

Belmont Panthers v Steve Whitehead Middlesbrough Mavericks

The game was compelling and tight and could have gone either way. Konsul started with a flourish of easy inside points for Panthers only for a Connery spell to give Mavericks the edge again. Predictably enough Huntley, using a motion offence, exploited the Mavericks to give the Panthers the first quarter lead. A run of good shots from Davies and Konsul gave the Panthers a strong 13 point lead. O'Donohue then had a run of his own, and along with Woolams brought the Mavericks level at the end of the third quarter. The final quarter was basket for basket until Huntley put back a board after a Baister three-pointer gave the Panthers a three-point edge. A pair of O'Donohue free shots brought the deficit back to one point and the Mavericks final possessions were both stolen away for fast break scores to give the Panthers an 67-63 win.

Top scorers: Belmont: Richard Baister 14, Richard Huntley 13, Konsul 13. Mavericks: Liam O' Donohue 28, Lee Woolams 11, Paul Connery 11.

Division Two

Teesside Huskies v East Durham & Houghall Comm. College B

In an end to end game, it was the Huskies deep bench which provided the edge needed to take the victory against their rivals. East Durham's squad of five players were always going to struggle against the Huskies nine man roster, who used their advantage to maximum effect, making well timed substitutions, often. The away team were able to keep up with the fast pace of the contest and East Durham's experienced players may have even earned the victory. It was clear from the start that the main threat from Teesside came from Silcutt, Nyerko and Edmondson. East Durham did well not to create foul trouble for themselves, which led to more baskets and clear shots being available for the Huskies who won the game 93-86. Four of the five players racked up double figures for East Durham with James Officer adding fantastic support.

Top scorers: Teesside: Vance Silcutt 31, Andrew Nyerko 22, Ronaldo Edmondson 18. ED&HCC B: Colin McEvoy 27, David Wylie 23, Andrew Bains 19, Mark Vickers 11.

Division Two Cup

Old Houghtonians v Consett Steelers

The Steelers eased into the early first half lead. Impressive scoring from Matt Patterson and Dan Patterson made sure that Consett went into the half time break with a 38-30 lead. Before then though, Burdis and Burlinson had made sure that Houghton were not played out of the contest. In the second half, Houghton gave themselves an excellent opportunity to win the game as Robert Taylor scored 18 second half points. After claiming the lead as their own, Houghton stretched their lead and never looked back, winning the game 72-60 to advance to the next round.

Top scorers: Houghton: Robert Taylor 19, Anthony Burdis 14, Luke Jenner 13, Neil Jenner 10, Paul Carr 10. Consett Matt Patterson 29, Dan Patterson 13.

Division Three

Norton v Wear Valley Wild Dawgs

The Wild Dogs took the early lead in this Division Three game at Norton School. Butterworth and Smelt brought Norton back into contention with some fast break baskets which eventually gave Norton an 11 point lead as the visitors offence dried up. The second quarter as very even thanks to some fine three-point shots from the younger visitors. In the penultimate quarter the stronger all-round game of the Norton team came to the fore and their lead was stretched even further. With the lead the Norton were able to run their bench late in the game with Mark Winter and Mark Rhodes easing the home team to a 73-61 victory.

Top scorers: Norton: Sam Butterworth 19, Mark Winter 17, Anthony Smelt 12, Gareth Wood 12. Wear Valley: Philip Holliday 18, Martyn Hirst 14, Alan Scott 12.

Division Three

Belmont Cougars v Wear Valley Wolverines

This contest quickly turned into an entertaining game played in a good spirit. Lloyd Harrison set the game alight with an opening 10 point burst in the first quarter contributing to the Panthers overall 18 point haul. Hall was rebounding well for the visitors and this was important for Wear Valley to keep in touch with Belmont. It was a short offensive burst from Paul Elderkin which took the game away from the Wolverines as he scored 17 of the Cougars following 19 points giving them a watertight lead heading into the latter half of the game. It was Ian Hirst who showed the most effort getting his Wolves back on track, the rest of the team could not muster the same initiative as Belmont showed little mercy running of with the game 82-52.

Top scorers: Belmont: Paul Elderkin 31, Nick Hobbs 15, Lloyd Harrison 12, Lee Shepherd 12. Wear Valley: Ian Hirst 29, Michael Hall 12.

Womens Co. Cup

Nunthorpe Bruins v East Durham & Houghall Comm. College

A close game from the start led to a first quarter tie at 14 all thanks to 6 points each from Jacki & Caroline Tyerman for Bruins opposed by ten points from Judith English for East Durham. EDCC scored six points without reply in the 6th minute of the second quarter to pull away to a 5 point half time lead. Bruins won the third quarter by two points leaving them 39-42 down, Barbara Bennett and Lisa Roughley being the main contributors for Bruins whilst EDCC managed to spread their scoring between them. The final quarter saw East Durham come to life and open up a 10 point lead by the 7th minute. Bruins defence then prevented East Durham from scoring again in the match but they could only score eight points in their offence to finally lose the game 54-56.

Top scorers: Bruins: Lisa Roughley 20, Jacki Tyerman 10. ED&HCC: Judith English 24, L Stanley 10.

Ladies HC Cup

Tyne & Wear Juniors v East Durham & Houghall Comm. College

East Durham started about claiming the lead early on with some quick baskets from Davison as Tyne & Wear struggled to create any kind of offence. By the middle of the second quarter it was time for East Durham to show their league form over one of the weaker ladies outfits as they snatched the lead from the Juniors. Tyne and Wear however began to show the spirit that earned them a rare victory last week. The home team used their substitutions and every player contributed. The third quarter turned out similar the second as East Durham continued to widen the gap between the teams as English showed her dominance from all round the court. Tyne & Wear kept in touch though and looked like they were never going to go away as Dyos and English stepped up once more in the final ten minutes. Tyne & Wear look to develop a good, up coming team as East Durham Ladies won 69-61.

Top scorers: T&W Sarah Blackman 11. ED&HCC: Judith English 30, J Dyos 15, B Davison 10.