Titans comeback

BASKETBALL: OLDHAM Titans under-16s bounced back to winning ways by seeing off Trees Valley Mohawks 81-72 in the English Basketball National League play-offs first round.

It was the perfect tonic after defeat last time out to Stockport Spartans, who pipped Titans to the North-West Conference title.

But it was hard work. The Oldham outfit trailed 18-11 at the end of the first quarter, and by two points at half-time.

Titans took the game to their North-East opponents in the third quarter, by the end of which they were 15 points in front.

Mohawks rallied late on, but Titans won the contest by nine points. Ben Atkinson was once again their star player.

Atkinson and his team-mates face Manchester Magic at the Amaechi Basketball Centre on Saturday in the second round.