WORCESTER Wolves made it three wins out of four in the National Basketball Trophy with an 83-72 victory over Team Bath Romans at University College Worcester last night.

Victory in the return game at Bath on Sunday will push them closer to a quarter-final spot.

Wolves were unchanged from the side that shocked Plymouth at the weekend, and Colin Chiverton started strongly with two fine drives to basket.

Josh Cooprider and Ben Livingston hit two long-range efforts to give the home side an early initiative. Paul Grainger dominated the Romans' scoring in the opening spell and Nick Vinsonneau and Chiverton were penalised for fouls on the 6ft 8in player, who duly punished them from the foul line. At the end of the first quarter Worcester led 17-15.

The second quarter saw the introduction of Paul Gerald who made an immediate impact at both ends of the court, supported by Chiverton. Once again Cooprider was the main offensive threat for Wolves, hitting two three-pointers at a time when the visitors were threatening to control the game.

In the closing stages of the first half Wolves built up a comfortable lead only for two three-pointers from Gregory to pull it back to 36-32 at half-time.

During the third quarter Vinsonneau and Chiverton both went onto four fouls, but Cooprider and Rick Solvason hit crucial three-pointers to give Wolves a 58-51 lead going into the final quarter.

The Wolves coaches called for more intensive defensive play and Gerald responded magnificently.

Livingston, Solvason and Cooprider found their range in the closing stages but when Vinsonneau and Chiverton fouled out Gerald held the defensive play together to the appreciation of the home crowd.

Cooprider was again effective with 31 points, although several players struggled to excel.

Wolves' Director of Operations Mick Donovan said: "While we are not happy with our own performance, the win is still appreciated. Our disappointment with how we played overshadowed the result - a clear indication of our ambitions this year."