Basketball: Arrows on target for first EBL title

While leaders Chester Jets, with nine games to go, are trying to keep the pack at arm's length in the top-flight British Basketball League, City of Sheffield Arrows can clinch the English Basketball League Division One title this weekend if they beat Solent Stars tonight or Reading Rockets tomorrow.

While leaders Chester Jets, with nine games to go, are trying to keep the pack at arm's length in the top-flight British Basketball League, City of Sheffield Arrows can clinch the English Basketball League Division One title this weekend if they beat Solent Stars tonight or Reading Rockets tomorrow.

Arrows' coach Garnet Gayle, a former BBL player, should clinch the club's first Division One title by despatching struggling Solent, whose own coach Alan Cunningham won a string of honours with former BBL franchise Portsmouth and Kevin Cadle's Kingston teams.

The Essex and Herts Leopards ended London United's chances of catching Arrows at the top with their unexpected win over them last weekend.

Tonight, Leopards travel to the Capital City Academy to face London Capitals in a scrap to secure the final place in the EBL play-off quarter-finals.

Leopards' coach Jon Burnell said: "The win at United has given us a great stepping stone. But if we don't produce the goods at the Capitals, then last week's win was pointless."

In the BBL Plymouth Raiders, locked in a battle for the final play-off quarter-final place with Milton Keynes Lions and Leicester Riders, are at home to Scottish Rocks tonight and travel to Brighton Bears tomorrow. Chester, whose lead was cut to four points by Thursday night's 99-90 defeat at Newcastle Eagles, are at home to London Towers tomorrow.