The Giants men were up against the Durham Wildcats, and after last weeks superb victory over Division One side Coventry, the team were looking to build on that perfomance.

But Durham had other ideas and took a convincing 82-68 win.

The Wildcats came out of the blocks racing as their Italian guard scored the opening four points until Gary Collins scored a tough lay-up. The first quarter score changed hands several times, ending 18-17 to the Wildcats.

The second quarter belonged to the Wildcats as Elderkin got his eye in, nailing four three-pointers.

Big Ben Coy worked hard under the basket, hitting eight points, but the half the Wildcats led 44-29.

The third quarter again started slowly for the Giants, and it took a full four minutes to get on the score board as the Wildcats took a 53-33 lead.

Martin ‘Stretch’ Richards scored inside as did Coy. Guard Paul Kelly took strong drives to basket as Giants started to come back to try to chip away at the deficit, but Wildcats still led 63-46 at the end of the third quarrter.

In the final quarter Giants came out strongly through player-coach Dan Richards who was fouled twice going basket and was awarded free throws and on the next offensive possession scored a three.

Captain Matt Shaw hit another big three for the Giants while Kelly again took strong drives to basket as Giants cut the deficit to 10 points.

Giants contnued to hustle out of defence but Wildcats’ shooters scored another three, taking their tally to seven threes in the game.

Giants never gave up in the final quarter but the deficit proved too big.

Scorers: D. Richards 13, P. Kelly 13, M. Shaw 12, B. Coy 10, M. Elland 7, G. Collins 6, M. Richards 3, M. Boot, C. Swinton, A. White.

l Giants’ ladies were playing tough top of the league Stockport Lapwings and lost 64-55.

Last season’s contests saw both teams win one game each in tense, close encounters.

Giants came out strongly through Madeley who scored two fast breaks and a three pointer. However, Stockport called an important timeout and then renewed with purpose as they took a 17-9 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Giants hit back at the start of the second with baskets from Paula Bailey, who scored eight points in a row, to take the score 24-19.

Graham gained free throws from being fouled driving to basket, but Stockport still led 33-21 at the half.

Tough words from coach Richards resulted in both teams trading end to end baskets. Giants then picked up the tempo with baskets from Jo Richards, Alison Bridge and Bailey as they brought the deficit to nine points at 43-34. Sam Parry scored inside and Bridge hit a big three to bring the gap closer at the end of third to 46-39.

Madeley scored at the start of the fourth quarter but Stockport replied from Mabey and Coleman.