Gary Smith has admitted it will only dawn on him today that Worthing Thunder are winners at last.

Thunder beat Sutton Pumas 86-72 at UC Worcester to claim the EBL Trophy.

It was their first piece of silverware after six times finishing runners-up in various competitions in their five-year history.

They did it in style, helped by 30 points from Steve Gayle and a big double-double by Gaylon Moore, who was named Most Valuable Player. Smith, head coach and a director of the club, watched his team pick up the prize and said: "It still hasn't sunk in.

"It will probably be Monday before it does.

"We didn't play that well in our previous three or four games but we put it all together in the championship game.

"Everyone stepped up defensively, everyone made contributions."

The key passage of play came either side of the first break as Thunder fathomed Sutton's defensive strategy to go on a 21-0 run.

Smith said: "They started off in a zone but we mastered it, not by knocking down the open three-pointers but by moving the ball and dominating inside."

The lead was up to 29 midway through the third quarter.

Sutton cut that to ten going into the final minute as Marlin Capers hit a three for the last of his 33 points.

Thunder, though, were never in danger and happily finished the job from the free throw line.

Quarter scores: 19-8, 23-15, 28-23, 16-26.

Thunder scorers: Gayle 30, Moore 18, Johnson 16, Brame 6, Harris 6, Hildreth 5, Butterworth 5.

Sutton scorers: Capers 33, Routledge 15, Lloyd 9, Hull 7, Moore 6, Bayliss 2.

Rebounds: Thunder 45 (Moore 17, Johnson 12), Sutton 36 (Capers 10).

Gayle's shooting: 4/5 2ptrs, 4/7 3ptrs, 10/11 FTs.

Other highlights: Hildreth 7 assists, Moore 4 steals.

Biggest leads: Thunder 59-30 after 25mins, Sutton 4-0 after 3mins.