BASKETBALL: A last-minute basket by Thames Valley Tigers condemned Worcester Wolves to a 67-66 defeat in their latest National League clash.

The second-placed side made the trip down south without a number of key players against the team lying just below Worcester in the table in third.

And it was the visitors who made a nervous start, looking sluggish in defence.

Eventually after trailing by six points in the opening spell, Colin Chiverton found a gap in the Tigers defence and Rick Solvason also began to find some form.

Baskets were then exchanged fairly evenly throughout the half and despite a subdued performance the Wolves led the first half 36-31.

At the start of the second period, the physical battle between Tony Forde and Tigers' Mark Gilder continued and in the second minute, Forde was disqualified from the game for an intentional foul. Mark Brennan stepped into the game and made a solid contribution defensively.

The Wolves, however, were still struggling to develop any consistent offensive play and the more alert Tigers team cut the gap to one point with 15 seconds remaining. Ben Livingstone then produced an inspirational piece of play to score and give the Wolves a one point lead and with six seconds left on the clock, a time-out was called by Thames Valley.

The Wolves players were given clear instructions to counter-act the home team's last attempt.

Two players failed to run the defensive play and Thames Valley scored on the buzzer.

Game coach Mick Dovovan was in philosophical mood after the narrow defeat.

He said: "We travelled with a strong enough team to win the game yet too many of our players underachieved."

The Wolves now go into the second half of the season in second place but have two thirds of their remaining games to play at home. All of the main contenders have to travel to Worcester.

Donovan added: "It's a disappointing note to end the year on but were excited by how much we have achieved at this half-way stage and we know how well we can play. Watch this space."