Danum Eagles suffer play-off semi-final defeat

Mathew Martin scored 23 points for the Doncaster club, while George Colwill registered 21 and Tom Hodson added 14 but an undefeated 23-0 Cavaliers outfit progressed to the Division Three final.

Eagles showed their intent from the tip as they jumped out 7-2 leaders.

But Thames Valley took a two-point lead into half time and extended that advantage to 12 points when Danum, missing 6’8” Oliver Hylands, temporarily lost concentration.

Eagles cut the lead to five points with two minutes left but the hosts produced two impressive plays to secure the win.

Eagles head coach Bob Martin said: “We came away on the wrong end of a 99-90 result but showed that big time basketball is not far away. We are very close to the top level.

“This game took me back 25 years. It was maybe the most physical game I have seen in years and the officiating was very poor.

“I’m very proud of this team and this club though. At 12 points down we were in a dangerous position but showed a quality which is our trademark.”

Eagles finished the regular league season in second place behind Team Newcastle University. Last year they won Division Four.