BASKETBALL: Airedale Kidderminster Cobras racked up their fifth straight win, beating Bushbury Blazers 68-66 to ensure mid-table West Midlands Premier League respectability.

Cobras suffered a pre-match blow in their bid to fend off Bushbury's revenge for a recent defeat as Richard Mizskowski failed to recover from a dead leg.

Roy Francis was unavailable but Craig Fielder was called into the side who led 22-17 by the first-quarter end.

Blazers signalled their intent with seven early unanswered points which forced coach Terry Cash into an immediate time-out to break up the momentum.

It did the trick as Kidderminster powered back with Ian Marriott and Mark Davis profiting.

Back in the game at 9-9, they showed their recent flair against quality opposition and used height advantage with the tall Marriott's power troublesome.

The jumping ability of Davis and Matt Law also ensured Cobras led by five points at the end of the first quarter before the second continued at a similar high tempo.

Marriott was again impressive, while ball handler Paul Phelps had an excellent game at the point.

Cobras were still just six points ahead at half-time and Blazers used their greater speed to open them up.

Bushbury tied the scores at 46-46 and coach Cash needed another successful time-out with tactical changes and Gary Matthews' introduction working well.

Matthews' crucial free throw and jump shot sent his team into the fourth quarter with a three-point cushion.

Kidderminster showed no signs of nerves with six straight points and established a lead of nine but Bushbury fought back again in a frantic final section.

Cobras needed Law's turn-around jump-shot with two seconds left to win. Marriott top scored with 21, Davis added 14, Law 14, Mark Bonshor seven and Phelps seven.