Teesside League

Darlington Devils started the game against unbeaten Middlesbrough Mavericks at The Dolphin Centre with great spirit and with Aaron Hope scoring well from outside the key and Grant Wakefield managing to shackle the inside power of Marek Pawlek.

The home side took a well deserved half-time lead of 37 points to 32.

A different pattern unveiled in the third and fourth quarters as Ian Viveash and Pawlek set about their task and the floodgates opened as Mavericks pulled away to record a comfortable 76-58 victory.

Mavericks: Viveash (28), Pawlek (22), Rawdon (16)

Devils: Hope (22).

Norton hosted Tigers and in an even opening half it was the visitors who managed to open up a two point gap; 36-38, mainly thanks to the rebounding of Lee Woolams. The third quarter was just as close as Mark Appleyard hit three pointers but Glen Urban was able to match his scoring at the other end of the court.

In the final period with Tigers in foul trouble Norton took the ball to the hoop repeatedly but couldn't convert the free throws as Tigers held the two point advantage going into the final three minutes.

The visitors then sank six free shorts as Norton missed a total of 14 chances to lose a vital game by 93 points to 84.

Tigers: Mark Appleyard (32)

Norton: Urban (31).

The Middlesbrough College Academy side brushed aside recent poor results when they dealt an 81-78 defeat to the experienced Thornaby side.

As the students dominated the outside shooting Thornaby had the best of the inside play and a three point half-time lead to the Academy 43-40 was mainly down to Chris Linsay shooting. These three points became vital as Thornaby kept in touch throughout tile final period but couldn't close the gap sufficiently to challenge the College who ran out 81-78 winners.

Academy: Linsay (32).

Thornaby: Butler (34).

Yarm Conyers gained a welcome home win against Norton II mainly due to the good skilful work around the basket of Richard Rowden as they led 39-20 at the break. Although the visitors closed the margin in the final quarter, their tactics of full court press failed to hold and gave Conyers open play to keep their noses in front. A final scoreline of 64-52 in favour of Conyers saw Rowden, Jackson, Todd and Stanton hit double figures as Rich Stoker hit 12 for Norton.

Thirsk Vikings, needing a win to stay in contention for a top six finish, the league splitting into two conferences, defeated East Cleveland Ruins 60-47.

In an open game, Ruins matched Vikings but the constant threat of Mark Kiely was the difference between the sides as Vikings opened up a seven point gap at the break, 24-31.

The final period was much of the same but a final flurry of five baskets without reply from Vikings was enough to send Ruins to defeat.

Vikings' top scorer was Mark Kiely (22) while Ruins' Paul Brown and Andy Ross got into double figures