Sports news in brief: Basketball | Cricket

Basketball

Glasgow Rocks moved into third place in the BBL last night with a 99-94 win over Guildford Heat.

Mike Green hit a game-high 32 points as the Kelvin Hall outfit demolished the visitors’ hopes of breaking their duck this season.

Guildford’s misery was compounded when ex-Rocks forward Mike Copeland was stretchered off in the first quarter.

And although the Heat then moved eight ahead, Green proved unstoppable as Glasgow surged 12 clear in the fourth period before fighting off a late rally.

Rocks coach Sterling Davis said: “Mike was just in a zone, especially in the first half. He was taking some crazy shots but they were falling so we’ll take them.” Plymouth will face Newcastle in next month’s BBL Cup final after taking a 193-171 aggregate win over Worcester.

Despite the Raiders falling to an 82-89 defeat on the night to the Worcester Wolves at the Plymouth Pavilions, it was not enough for the visitors to overturn the 28-point deficit from the first leg 24 hours earlier as Plymouth secured the aggregate victory to move on to the final to face the Eagles at the NIA, Birmingham on 15 January.

With a 111-83 victory 24 hours earlier, the Raiders could relax and their big lead was never troubled by the Wolves.

Cricket

New Zealander George Worker has emerged as the Saltires’ top target as next season’s overseas professional.

The top order batsman and spin bowler made a major impact as a short-term replacement for Aussie Luke Butterworth in this summer’s CB40 campaign.

Worker starred in the side’s two wins against Northants and Warwickshire and was a positive influence on and off the park.

And the 22-year-old could be in line to return providing he can also land a deal with a top Scottish club.

Cricket Scotland chief executive Roddy Smith admitted: “George did his chances no harm last season. He is a quality cricketer and was also very popular with all the guys.”

It is understood former New Zealand U19 captain Worker would only return to play in the top tier of the new domestic Conference structure after last season being with SMRH.

Smith added: “We will wait to see who is coming over as club professionals but George would certainly be of interest.”

The Saltires open their new CB40 campaign at home to champions Surrey on 6 May.

Badminton

English duo Marcus Ellis and Heather Olver lifted the mixed doubles title at the Yonex Irish International in Lisburn yesterday.

The pair got the better of Dutch players Dave Khodabux and Selena Piek 21-19, 21-17 in 35 minutes, while there was individual glory for Rajiv Ouseph as he won the men’s singles title.

The Scottish International champion saw off Przemyslaw Wacha when the Pole retired injured at 11-5 down in the second game, having lost the first 21-15.

Mariana Agathangelou and Olver lost the women’s doubles final in three games to Hui Ern Ng and Hui Lin Ng.

Sports news in brief: Basketball | Cricket | Badminton