MOORE'S NEW SHOES BRING NO LUCK

Gaylon Moore wore a brand new pair of the latest Air Jordan 20 shoes for the final. They have been available only a fortnight. He said: "I saw them on the internet and went up to London to get them this week."They are white with a red lower-shin band above the lace line.

Facts & snippets: Gaylon Moore's sister Sophrina was there to support him, over from the USA, as she had been with their parents for the Trophy Final last season at Worcester. She said before the game: "He's told me the game is going to be pretty difficult but I've brought him luck over and I have a lot of faith in him today.I know they can win.

"Mum's got to work this weekend and Dad won't come without her."

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Coach Gary "Chicken" Smith wore a smart, charcoal pinstripe two-piece suit and a black shirt, with the new black shoes he must have got for the final last year. It was the classiest he's looked at gametime this season. Shortly to marry Emma, his long-time Scottish girlfriend, he was asked if this was to be his wedding suit. No, he said.

So what will that be like, then?

Thunder wore their 'lucky' white kit for the final (the strip in which they won at London United in the semi-final), even though Sheffield's blue necessitated no change from Thunder's black '” which, of course, they had worn the night before against Kingston Wildcats.

Will Thunder dare wear the white again this Saturday in the league at London United?

Worthing Thunder begin their final three English Basketball League matches with their second trip in three weeks to London United on Saturday (3pm).

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It was United whom Thunder surprised in the National Trophy semi-final on the same Brunel University court with a one-point victory. But on Sunday, United, having thumped PAWS London Capitals 86-57 on Saturday, crashed 72-78 away to Essex & Herts Leopards on Sunday.

Leopards are now boosted by American, Troy Selvey, from Coventry but United's loss looks a hangover from their Trophy shock.

On Saturday, Thunder prospered from a sudden rash of crazy technical fouls incurred by visitors Kingston Wildcats. The Londoners were 96-84 behind but still in it when ex-Worthing Bear, Sammy Salter reacted sarcastically to the referee's call which had just brought his third foul. This brought him a "T" out on court and continuing, a "T" in the subsequent time-out which meant his automatic ejection from the game. Then player-coach Dwayne Martin picked up one in the same mood and likewise, on the bench, Andrew Bayliss.

Four technicals in barely a minute brought Thunder six free-throw points and the contest was over at 102-86 with three minutes left. Three blocks by Okolie Ugbana had fired up Thunder down the stretch.

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Thunder conclude against Capitals at home on Saturday week (possibly their final home match, when awards will be presented), then Solent away (now March 27). A play-offs quarter-final win from seventh place would earn Thunder a home semi-final second leg.

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