Three young Englishman outshone London Towers' quartet of Americans at the weekend. They did their best to wreck London's defence of the Budweiser League title while the champions had one eye on tomorrow's European Cup date with Saratov of Russia at Wembley.
Andy Betts, a 6ft 11in centre on holiday from his American university, played a leading part in Leicester City Riders' 81-75 victory over London at Wembley on Friday. David Attwell, who joined Derby Storm from his American university before Christmas, was to the fore with Wayne Mulgrave in an 18-point, second-half comeback before Towers escaped with an 83- 80 win on Saturday night.
Leicester are battling to keep Betts in the country for their 7-Up League Trophy date with Birmingham Bullets this week. Dan Lloyd, assistant coach for the Towers, said: "He scored eleven points and took eight rebounds. He's raw but Leicester got more out of him than we did out of our Americans."
At Derby on Saturday, London survived after Karl Brown's free throw and a missed three-pointer from Tim Lascelles. Also on Saturday, Sheffield Sharks capitalised on Leicester's exertions by beating them 86-71 at Granby Halls, and Hemel Royals won their first game of the season by beating Crystal Palace 86-83. Chester Jets stay joint top with London after beating Birmingham Bullets 95-90.
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