ST THEODORES clinched the league and cup double in dramatic style as they hung on to beat closest rivals Towneley High by just five points.

The Saints, who had already won the round robin cup competition earlier in the season, appeared to have the game sewn up by half time as they raced to a 30-18 lead.

This was mainly due to a blistering start to the game where St Theodores opened up a 12 point lead thanks to the pin-point shooting from captain and leading scorer Alex Dempsey.

The Saints skipper led by example, as he has done so throughout the season, to score baskets at vital times and in the end it was his scoring ability that won the game.

Backed up by the rest of the team, who weighed in with the fair share of baskets, it looked as if they were going to clinch the title at a canter. By Towneley had other ideas.

For after the break they launched an offensive that saw St Theodores hanging on at the end as Towneley fell just three baskets shorts of a famous victory.

While there was a fine all-round performance, the home side had Gavin Killion and Dale Brooks to thank for pushing St Theodore's as they shared the majority of the points between them.

However Towneley ran out of time at the end as St Theodores were relieved to hear the final whistle.

It has been a good season so far for St Theodores on the court with the under 15s also favourites to win their league title, having already won the cup while the under 14s are preparing for their Lancashire Trophy quarter final match.

Towneley: Gavin Killion, Dale Brookes, Craig Rivers, Ashley Coyle and Lee Dowling.

St Theodores: Alex Dempsey, Jonathan Whittaker, Adam Davidson, Ben Scott, James Dacey and Mark Nicholson.

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