L @Sharks 3/4
  
SHEFFIELD SHARKS 88 (21, 42, 68)
(Yanders 20, Stewart 18, Williams/Reinking 13)
CHESTER JETS 75 (22, 42, 61)
(McCord 20, Davis 19, Thomas 14)                STATS

The Jets lost at the Sheffield Arena tonight as the Sharks homed in on their fourth League title. Tonight's defeat - following the 90-94 home defeat by Newcastle on March 30th - was the first time this season the Jets have lost two games in a row.

The Jets were again without leading scorer Kenny Gregory but he should be back in action in time for the play-offs. Jets coach Robbie Peers had conceded the title before tonight's game but, as he had promised, his team played to win and held their own through the first half before Sharks' Rob Yanders' 16 third quarter points gave Sheffield a clear lead.

One crumb of comfort: the Jets have won the regular season head-to-head against the Sharks. League results are 2-2 but the Jets ended +2 in points difference....

The Jets are assured a top four finish and a home tie in the play-off quarter-finals (Northgate Arena, April 19th) but could slip from third to fourth if results go Thames Valley's way. The Jets are on 52 points with three games left, the Tigers are on 48 with two games to play. If Chester lose all three and the Tigers win both their remaining games, including a 15+ win over Chester on April 12th, then Paul James' team take the #3 spot. Unlikely I know, but that's what it's all about down the stretch.

BBL report:
"Westfield Sharks Sheffield kept their charge for the BBL Championship title on course with an 88-75 success at home to Chester Jets on Thursday evening. The crowd at the Hallam FM Arena were treated to a close first half - Jets edged the opening quarter 22-21, before each team posted 8-0 runs in the second to level the score at 42-42 at half-time. An 11-1 Sharks' burst in the third gave them a double-digit lead at 65-55, with Rob Yanders stealing the show and scoring 16 of his 20 points in the third quarter alone. Leading 72-67 midway through the fourth quarter, Sharks then bagged nine unanswered points to assure themselves of victory. Chester, who were without the injured Kenny Gregory, were led by John McCord, who equalled Yanders' tally of 20 points."