Basketball: Tigers raid Birmingham

Thames Valley Tigers were the first visitors to Birmingham Bullets' new venue - the Birmingham Sports Centre - on Saturday night and took away a place in the BBL Cup semi-finals with a 105-96 victory.

Bullets suffered a setback before the game when England international Steve Hansell refused the offer of a reduced contract and quit the club. Tigers went 78-60 clear with a 10-2 run, including six points from Quintin Bailey.

Leicester Riders, with eight championship defeats this season, also went out of the cup when London Towers won their quarter-final 112-100 at Loughborough University.

Philip Perre has rejoined Scottish Rocks after being released by Brighton Bears last month and made his debut in the BBL Cup quarter-final against Newcastle Eagles last night. Perre played for Rocks against Brighton in last season's final.