WORCESTER Wolves took on Manchester Magic in their first home English League Division One game of the season and wrapped up an 86-66 victory.

Both teams had played new first division sides the day before and had come through with victories.

Potentially, it looked like being a close game and, while it started that way, it soon became apparent that Wor-cester were the superior team.

The game started slowly and the first points came from Manchester.

Worcester eventually found the basket several minutes later with a three-pointer from Valdas Urbonavicius.

Worcester then appeared to wake up. The points began to drop in at a much better rate and the home team soon took the lead.

Manchester stayed fairly close behind, but failed to retake the lead.

Worcester's Andy Harper was unsuccessful on a long three-pointer just short of the buzzer after a timed run by Matt Collins, and the quarter ended 22-15.

Wolves' first points of the second quarter came from Ty Shaw, who sunk both bonuses after being fouled when driving for the basket.

Manchester continued to fight hard to try to regain their lead, but Worcester's offence was unforgiving and the Magics were unable to gain enough momentum.

They drew level briefly, but Worcester responded with two close shots with no reply from the visitors.

Late on in the quarter, Shaw was called for an offensive charging foul when attacking the basket.

Stand-in coach Cecil Gordon sat him on the bench, but Worcester were then called for a bench technical when Shaw complained to the referees.

In the dying seconds, Danny Williams gained possession for Worcester, but was fractionally too late to beat the buzzer. The quarter closed 40-36 to Worcester.

Colin Chiverton opened the penultimate quarter of the game with two points for Worcester, followed by another two for Collins.

Manchester were unable to match the Wolves' scoring rate, and fell further and further behind the home team.

Urbonavicius sunk another of several long three-pointers, the ball barely touching the sides of the basket, and Manchester had dropped back to 62-54 behind.

The Magic managed to keep pace for the first-half of the final quarter, but as the quarter progressed they fell further behind.

Collins was flattened in defence while standing still, but was still called for blocking by the referees. But as Manchester tired, they began to make mistakes.

With 17 seconds remaining, Worcester took possession of the ball, and Collins retained control until the buzzer.

The game closed at 86-66 to Worcester who won a standing ovation from the University of Worcester crowd.