NSC, Thursday 18/02/10 - This week saw a suspension of normal league fixtures for a special handicap tournament involving the full roster of both Men's & Ladies League teams. With games of only 12 minutes and handicap scores determined by league table position there was plenty of fast paced action as teams fought to secure places in the final.

Get the full handicap tournament report after the read more link.

Men's Handicap Tournament
With no league games played on Thursday night due to half term, a handicap competition for teams in the men's and ladies league was held at the NSC. The men's competition saw the teams split into two groups,  A and B, with Microgaming Cavaliers, Pinoy Rams, Western and Timbermann Tigers in Group A and Ron Smiths Turkeys, Outback Hoppers and GB Marvels in Group B, with winners of each group contesting the final. The outcome of group A was only decided with the result of the last game between Tigers and Rams, with both teams requiring victory to head the group and reach the final, the game was finely balanced going into the final minute and it was the Tigers who held their nerve to take the game 30 - 27. Group B saw both Hoppers and Marvels record victories over Turkeys, with Corey Pinder hitting a big 'three pointer' in the final seconds to seal Marvels one point victory over the Turkeys. In the final game between Marvels and Hoppers, it was the Hoppers who came out top 25 - 17, to set up a final with Tigers. The final was a fast and furious game and with Hoppers starting with a six point lead, it was left to the Tigers to chase the game, using their fast break to good effect, Tigers leveled the game and with two mid court interceptions in the final minute they ran out 18 - 13 winners

Ladies Handicap Tournament
The ladies competition saw Fellas, Dacom, Search and Select Saints, Panthers and Sleepwell Slammers play in a round robin format, with the top two teams contesting the final. The group matches saw Saints, unbeaten in their four matches top the group and set up a final against Panthers, who finished second in the group after victories against Fellas, Slammers and Dacom. With Saints starting the final with an eight point lead, it was going to be tough call for Panthers to overcome the deficit. After Sarah Corkish hit a 'three pointer' in the opening minute of the game to reduce the lead to five points, it looked as if they might go all the way, but Saints held their nerve and with some fine shooting from Dee McLoughlin they saw off the challenge of the Panthers to eventually take the game 27 - 18.

Fixtures for 25 February 2010
NSC Court 1
6.00pm Outback Hoppers  v Poker Stars (M)
7.20pm Microgaming Cavaliers v Timbermann Tigers (M)
8.40pm Western Warriors v Pinoy Rams (M)

NSC Court 2
6.00pm Fellas v Panthers (L)
7.20pm Southern v West 1 (J)
8.40pm Dacom v Search and Select Saints (L)