Play-off gives Kings double

EDINBURGH KINGS have clinched a Lothian basketball cup and league double after beating Basketeers 81-67 in a play-off at Portobello High School after the two teams had tied at the top of the First Division at the end of the regular season.

Even in the play-off the teams could scarcely be separated, Kings only breaking clear from the Craigroyston club in the final minute. Kings also beat Heriot-Watt University 69-60 to take the Lothian Cup.

Meanwhile, Capital stars stepped up as Scotland came from seven points down with 30 seconds left to beat Doncaster Danum Eagles 90-89 at the Citadel Centre in Ayr.

Top scorer for the Scots, who are preparing for next month's European Championship in Malta, was again Steve Leven with 21 points.

But Edinburgh Kings centre Simon Flockhart was much more effective on this occasion, adding 16, while Daniel Donnelly had 12, Grant Gibson (East Lothian Peregrines) 11 and Laurie Costello (Kings) and Ross Campbell nine each.

"It was a much better performance than we gave against Newcastle Eagles and most encouraging," said coach Tom Campbell.