WORCESTER Wolves have finally landed their first trophy in the four years of their existence.

But they made desperately hard work of defeating gallant Hackney White Heat 111-100 to win the National League Patrons Cup competition.

They trailed for around 70 per cent of the game and only in the final quarter did they play to their full potential.

In the end, it was an outstanding performance from player-coach Rick Solvason and some incredible backing from a 700-strong crowd at University College Worcester that saw them through.

With home advantage and just two defeats all season in the National League Division Two behind them, Wolves started clear favourites against a Hackney side who they'd already beaten twice in the league.

But whether it was the occasion or the fact that three of their key players - American aces Ty Shaw and Josh Cooprider and home-grown Colin Chiverton - had been rushed down from Gateshead where they were playing for UCW in the British Universities finals, they struggled to find their usual rhythm.

Hackney were landing more of their shots and getting the crucial rebounds at both ends, and at one stage in the third quarter they held a 13-point advantage.

But during the half-time interval (at which point Wolves trailed 60-54), Director of Basketball Mick Donovan told me that if Wolves were still within 10 points at the end of the third quarter, they would win.

I admired his optimism but as it turned out he was right. A crucial three-pointer from Solvason ensured they were only five points down at the start of the final 10 minutes, and the Canadian ace took control as Wolves launched their final assault, backed by a wall of noise from their fans that would have put some football clubs to shame.

Solvason's 34 points earned him the most valuable player award and included 15 free shots out of 15 - an incredible feat considering the tension - and with three minutes left it was all square at 99-99.

But following a Hackney free shot, a three-pointer from Cooprider finally broke Hackney's resistance and although he and Shaw both fouled out in the closing minutes, Wolves redoubled their efforts and a succession of free shots enabled them to open up a decisive gap.

Solvason said afterwards: "It was great entertainment value for the fans and it was a fantastic game.

"We set targets to keep them down to 30-35 points at half-time, not 60. We were poor defensively and we waited until the fourth quarter to put it together and the guys stepped it up.

"Even when our two imports fouled out in the last quarter the other guys stepped up, the likes of Wayne Robinson and Keith Jarrett. All 10 of our guys contributed in one way or another."

American ace Cooprider added: "They caught us off-guard. They came out with a good game plan and they executed it. Rick really kept us in it, especially in the third quarter. The other guys stepped up and that is what a good team does."

Top scorers: Solvason 34, Shaw 18, Chiverton 17, Coop-rider 16, Robinson 15.