CHAMPIONS Bury Bulldogs finished the Ipswich & District Basketball League season in fine form with a comfortable win over Holbrook Eagles while BT Jets were still left looking for that first elusive victory when they went down at home to California Cougars.

CHAMPIONS Bury Bulldogs finished the league season in fine form with a comfortable win over Holbrook Eagles while BT Jets were still left looking for that first elusive victory when they went down at home to California Cougars.

Bury were in control of their home game against Holbrook virtually from the first tip and had the luxury of a double-figure cushion by the end of the first quarter. Holbrook turned up with a squad of just six, four of whom were under 18. Chris Dixon returned to the Bury line-up and knocked down 10 personal in the first.

In the second, Holbrook narrowed the gap to single figures with Lee Greenan and Nick Newman combining for 12 points but by half time the gap had opened up again as Aaron Caldwell and Mark Knight put it together for the home side. Greenan continued to be prolific for the visitors in the third as the gap was again reduced but Bulldogs pulled away towards the end of the quarter with an 18-3 run. Despite Dean Rosembert and Henry Utku both fouling out, the Bulldogs still controlled the final quarter to win by almost 20.

Without a win all season, BT Jets went into their final home game against California Cougars with a squad of 11 looking for something of a miracle. Cougars opened strongly as the Jets defence found it hard to handle Philip Green and his 16 personal in the first helped Cougars to a 12-point lead.

Three long-range efforts from Neil Lister in the second helped Cougars extend their lead and by half time the gap was more than 20.

Thabo Nemukula tried to keep some respectability to the scoreline with 12 first-half points for the Jets. Cougars put together a run of 12 unanswered points at the start of the second half and despite another six from Nemukula, Jets were more than 40 down going into the final quarter. Cougars topped the ton with more than four minutes left and Jets must now travel to Colchester for the final game still seeking that elusive first win.

Colchester Veterans still have two games to play and should they win them both they will finish in runners-up spot. The finals of the knock-out competitions take place next weekend when the destinations of the Cup and Plate trophies will be decided. Stowmarket Slammers meet Holbrook Eagles II in the Plate while the Cup final will be an all-Essex affair with Brightlingsea Sledgehammers squaring up to Colchester Veterans. The games are being played at Holbrook High School; the Plate tips at 12.20 while the Cup final is at 2.20.

Results

BT Jets 59 (Nemukula 22, Carson 13, McGeachie 11) California Cougars 121 (Green/Lister 34, Eley 17),

Bury Bulldogs 98 (Caldwell 22, Dixon 19, Lyne 14) Holbrook Eagles 79 (Greenan 25, Newman 19, Swift 14).