OXFORD Devils failed in their bid to add to their National League basketball championship when they lost to fellow Thames Valley rivals, Reading Rockets 97-82 in the play-off finals at Wembley Arena on Saturday.

Going into the game slight favourites, the Headington-based team never got to grips with Rockets point guard, Damion Cooper, who starred in a scrappy game which never lived up to both teams' league games this season.

Reading started the stronger, outscoring the Devils 32-19 in the first period after Oxford had missed easy shots to take the lead.

Devils came back strongly in the second session, when it seemed they were starting to find their season's form, but with Cooper and Ted Smith, Reading's American import in dominant form, Reading were not in the mood to miss out on the opportunity to win a trophy.

The second half was a similar story with the Devils trying to claw their way back, desite losing Kelly, Milner and Riley, all of whom fouled out.

It was left to Reading to close the game out to win the play-off title. Losing Todd McNeil and a series of bad injuries certainly took their toll towards the end of the season, but every credit to Reading who were the better team on the day.

Devils' scorers: Choutka 12, Riley 15, Cooper 27, T Smith 20.