BASKETBALL: Airedale Kidderminster Cobras suffered a repeat of last season as they succumbed to holders Avon Valley in the Rosebowl Trophy 85-67.

West Midlands Premier League Cobras had to give lower-ranked Valley a 28-point start under competition rules.

But the handicap did not deter the visitors as they settled into their game trading early baskets with Craig Fielder shooting well from outside.

Cobras showed composure to control the tempo of the game with Martin Usherwood and Ian Marriott using their height advantage well.

A rush of points without reply saw the visitors finish the first quarter trailing 37-17 but they had reduced the initial deficit by eight points.

Mark Davies and Mark Bonshor combined well as the visitors ran in eight points without reply early in the second period before Matt Law was introduced to fire six quick points.

Cobras had taken 18 points out of the handicap by half-time and the continued impact of Law saw Avon buckling with the lead down to five points 17 minutes from the end.

However, the home side suddenly stepped up their defence and scored from turn-overs to lead 68-53 by the end of the third quarter.

Deflated Cobras were hit by their opponents' new momentum as the lead was extended to 74-57.

Davies and Gary Matthews added points towards the end but the match ended in defeat. Law scored 17 points, Marriott 12 and Fielder 11.