WORCESTER WOLVES 86 LIVERPOOL 79

THE Trophy competition earlier in the season saw Worcester and Liverpool enjoy one victory each against each other so once again this National League Division One fixture promised to be a close affair.

Worcester's first five consisted of Rick Solvason, Colin Chiverton, Rhys Hocking, Nick Vinsonneau and Gareth France in the place of out of favour Ben Livingston.

Wolves started strongly with Solvason shooting superbly from long range and Chiverton driving well to basket at close range.

Defensively Hocking, although smaller than the Liverpool forwards, was dominating at the rebounding.

At the end of the first quarter the Wolves led 25-13 with Vinsonneau beginning to record a big points tally with seven points in two minutes.

The second quarter saw the Liverpool team operate with a full court-press which caused Worcester some problems.

The Northern team reduced the deficit to a half-time score of 40-30 in Wolves favour.

Liverpool came out the stronger in the second half, continuing with the full court press.

Worcester still struggled to cope with this strategy and by the end of the third quarter Wolves led 57-53 with a tense crowd sensing a home defeat. Solvason and Vinonneau at that time posed the only threat to the Liverpool onslaught.

The final quarter saw the introduction of Ben Livingston. The tempo increased and Worcester finally responded to the aggressive northern challenge.

Vinsonneau shot well from outside and dunked on the Liverpool defence to give the home crowd some cheer. Livingston hit 12 points in the final quarter and Wolves ran out winners by seven points.

Worcester Director or Operations Mick Donovan said: "When we concentrate at both ends of the court we have the flair to live with any team in this division. Consistency is the key."

Head coach Rick Solvason said: "Eventually we outfought a tough Liverpool team and we now hope to improve for the more difficult challenge next week."

Wolves play high flyers Ware on Saturday at University College Worcester (7pm). A Wolves invitational juniors tournament is being played for youngsters throughout the community in the afternoon and they will also be coached by Wolves players.