Tralee set the early standard

BASKETBALL: With new player-coach Chris Craig leading by example, the Tralee Tigers set the standard in this year's Superleague with a highly impressive display to beat cup champions UCC Demons in Cork.

The Kerry club were always in front, leading 63-54 going into the final quarter before the Demons made a late push for victory. However, despite pulling back within two points, a number of turnovers and poor shooting proved their undoing. Craig chipped in with a vital three-pointer late on to ensure his team finished in front, 84-81.

The result gives them two wins from two and leaves them on course to retain their title.

Elsewhere, there were wins for Star of the Sea, Killester, Ballina and UCD. The Mayo men, with Ronan McGarrity shooting 23 points, have been an excellent addition to the Superleague this year. They duly dealt with Shamrock Rovers Hoops by 112-104.

The Dublin students picked up the scalp of the weekend when they came away from Kerry with full honours after beating the Killarney Lakers 97-89.

Meanwhile, in the women's Superleague, UL Aughinish continued their period of dominance in Killester on Saturday evening. In fairness to the home team, they were made earn every basket but eventually stretched clear on a 70-58 scoreline.

What makes the win even more impressive was they achieved it without the services of international star Michelle Aspell. In contrast, Killester struggled without Carmel Kissane and Gillian Morris.

Although the match was close throughout, the Dublin team found themselves repeatedly beaten inside by their physically superior opponents, in particular American Stephanie Graff and Irish international player Nessa O'Keeffe.

Killester, who led by 13 points at half-time, will see this as a big chance wasted to put a stop to UL's two-year unbeaten streak. The other two matches saw St Paul's beat Glanmire and Meteors overcome the Wildcats.

MEN'S SUPERLEAGUE: Waterford 86, Star of the Sea 110; Killester 120, Limerick 82; Ballina 112, Shamrock Rovers Hoops 104; Killarney Lakers 89, UCD 97; UCC Demons 81, Tralee Tigers 84.

WOMEN'S SUPERLEAGUE: Killester 58, UL Aughinish 70; Meteors 74, Wildcats 51; Glanmire 50, St Paul s 61.