Erkenwald Seniors captured the Essex Metropolitan Basketball League title last night with a win over an under strength Hainult Stars team, who were the current league and play off champions.

With 2 games remaining, both against Hainult, the Erks Seniors had to win one to capture the title. Erks seniors had consolidated their top league spot with recent wins over Erks 1, Cardinals and Lakers. The battle for the 3 remaining play off spots will be decided in the next 2 weeks.

Erks first 5 consisted of Declan McCusker, Lee Atkinson, Garbage Time Dave Churches, Martin Overare and Dave Passacantilli. Erks opened up a 13 - 7 point lead before Hainult finished strong to trail 13 - 12 at the end of the first quarter, all 12 points being scored by ex Erk and club debtor Keith Pringle.

Terry Rose and Gary Glennard joined Erks for the second quarter and Erks established a 23 - 16 half time lead.

Garbage Time Dave Churches, who scored 38 points the previous evening in a mid Essex League fixture for Yewlands Gravediggers failed to recapture his shooting range and was duly replaced by Paul Haydan. Paul used his speed and athleticism to take Hainult apart inside as Erks opened up a comfortable lead and to clinch the title for the first time in 5 years.

Erks scorers:
Declan McCusker 7; Martin Overare 8; Lee Atkinson 10; Gary Glennard 3; Dave Passacantilli 16; Terry Rose 6; Paul Haydan 15; Dave Churches 1.

Erks 1 take on Cardinals on Thursday evening in their final league game of the season. A win would almost certainly give Erks 1 runners up spot.