WORCESTER Wolves basketball team reached the final of the Patrons Cup when they beat North West London 87-79 at University College Worcester.

The visitors included England international Michael Martin and Santana Ataha who joined the team following a last minutes transfer from BBL team Milton Keynes.

Worcester were without the injured Rikki Prince but included new signing Renaldo Edmonson and Keith Jarrett, who is still waiting for clearance before joining his college team in America.

The Londoners started strongly as Wolves appeared nervous in the early stages.

Josh Cooprider settled the home team with a close range attempt and followed it with an excellent three pointer. Ty Shaw then drove strongly to basket, yet it was the visitors who looked the stronger as Martin shot two three pointers to give the London team a first quarter lead of 23-19.

The second quarter saw the introduction of Rick Solvason and Keith Jarrett who both made an immediate impact, Jarrett with his offensive rebounding and Solvason with some fine defence play.

As the game approached half way it was the fiery Shaw who continued to make inroads into the bigger London defence and the Wolves edged into a 42-35 point lead. Cooprider was on three personal fouls and had to be careful in the second half. Following the interval, no sooner had the crowd re-taken their seats when Dave Jones hit a long range three pointer. Martin then responded with three baskets. However, following a quiet first half Colin Chiverton came alive with some excellent power moves to basket that swung the advantage back towards the Wolves.

Going into the final quarter the Wolves led 63-56. Shaw and Robinson added crucial baskets for the home side yet once again the visitors responded with some effective shooting.

Rick Solvason then scored two three pointers to give Wolves some breathing space. The Wolves then suffered a scare as Cooprider and Shaw both fouled out of the game.

Chiverton settled the nerves with some more fine moves to basket and Robinson closed the game with a free shot that gave the Wolves a 87-79 lead and a place in their first final against Hackney who beat Colchester 83-63 in the other semi-final.

Wolves top scorers: Ty Shaw 26, Josh Cooprider 16, Colin Chiverton 14, Rick Solvason 13. Rebounds: Shaw 10, Jarrett 8.