The BA London Leopards sealed the EBL Division One title at the weekend while Leeds Carnegie gained the advantage in the battle for the final play-off spot.
The Leopards knew that one win from their three remaining league games would be enough to clinch the title and they did so with an 80-60 success away to the Reading Rockets.
Former Mersey Tigers player, David Buchberger stole the headlines from his two high-scoring team mates, Vernon Teel and Ousman Krubally, with a 34 point haul. The Essex based side made it 18 wins in a row the following day; comfortably beating London Capitals 60-94 away from home.
Leeds recorded two vital home victories to gain control of the final play-off spot. David Ajumobi top scored with 34 points in his side’s 90-82 midweek win over the Derby Trailblazers before another 27 inspired a 93-91 success over Brixton in overtime. Leeds are currently in ninth but have games in hand and the head-to-head series advantage over the Medway Park Crusaders, who currently occupy eigth despite a 93-83 defeat at the Westminster Warriors.
Brixton’s overtime defeat, which has ultimately cost them a play-off spot, was their fourth on the bounce, having also lost 82-72 to Derby on the Saturday with Rishi Kakad dropping a huge 42 points on the Topcats.
After missing out on the title, Bristol will have to settle for second place. The Academy Flyers dismissed the challenge of Tees Valley Mohawks with relative ease with a 71-48 success on the road.
Worthing Thunder produced a dominant second half performance to defeat the Leicester Warriors 103-78 and guarantee a home quarter-final in the play-offs. The Bradford Dragons moved into fifth position with an 83-69 road win over the Capitals and are now level on points with Leicester while Reading have a game in hand.
Ahead of the final week of the regular season, despite the title already being secured there is still plenty of excitement as the play-off draw unfolds. Medway Park need to beat the Mohawks to have a chance to qualify and then hope Leeds suffer defeat against Leicester or Reading. Brixton have an outside shot; needing to beat the Capitals twice and hope other results go their way.
1st (C) LEOPARDS (19-4) 38pts, 2nd (Q) BRISTOL (17-6) 34pts, 3rd (Q) WORTHING (16-7) 32pts, 4th (Q) DERBY (15-8) 30pts, 5th (Q) BRADFORD (14-9) 28pts, 6th (Q) LEICESTER (14-9) 28pts, 7th (Q) READING (13-9) 26pts, 8th MEDWAY PARK (11-12) 22pts, 9th LEEDS (10-12) 20pts, 10th BRIXTON (9-13) 18pts, 11th TEES VALLEY (4-19) 8pts, 12th WESTMINSTER (3-20) 6pts, 13th CAPITALS (2-19) 4pts
C- Champions
Q- Qualified for Play-offs
