Basketball: Kats keep their Kool to defeat Rocks

In a splendid advert for women's basketball, Edinburgh Kool Kats just held off the champions Glasgow Rocks 76-73 to take pole position in the Scottish League title race at Portobello High School.

Kats must now ensure there is no slip-up at home to two tough opponents in Polonia Phoenix at Portobello on Thursday or against Falkirk Fury on Friday, before fulfilling a more straightforward away game to Grampian Flyers on Saturday.

Yesterday the Rocks, formerly St Maurice's, had enjoyed leads of up to six points in the first half which ended tied 34-34, then fell behind 47-40 before snatching a 70-66 lead with three minutes left and 72-68 a minute later.

Kats rallied and two big baskets by Rowan Bell put them back in the driving seat at 75-73 with 23 seconds left.

Kats also beat Rocks, 68-47, in the cadette game.

Simon Flockhart was celebrating a double victory on Saturday when his City of Edinburgh men turned in a great defensive second half to overcome Grampian Grizzlies 57-46 in the Scottish Chairman's Cup quarter- final at Portobello.

City now meet Paisley SG in the semi-final.

Flockhart had dropped in 26 points in Kings' 104-58 win over Glasgow Rocks in the men's national league on Friday night.

Following their two clashes with fellow title contenders St Mirren at Paisley on Friday and at Portobello eight days later, Kings' last regular season game will be at home to East Lothian Peregrines a week on Sunday, a game which could decide the league. Peregrines enjoyed a convincing 90-77 home romp over Dunfermline Reign.