Bears' second Trophy victory in three games at the Triangle in Burgess Hill means they are well placed to clinch a quarter-final spot and the vastly experienced Scantlebury is encouraged with the way things are going.

Charles Luke-Bannerman's men have now won six of their opening 12 games, two more than they achieved in the whole of last season, and Scantlebury said: "It's a healthy position for us to be in.

Progress

"Before the start the club would have settled for where we are now. The challenge for us is not to sit back, but to try and do better and get as many wins as we can."

Bears' final three trophy group games are all away from home and, after they visit Sheffield on Sunday, they tackle Chester and Plymouth with Scantlebury declaring: "Two wins out of three should definitely see us through.

"Obviously we are shooting for the play-offs in the league, but before the start of the season the coach said it was our goal to get through the first rounds of the cup competitions.

"We let ourselves down a bit in our National Cup quarter-final against Sheffield last week, but we've now got another chance and hopefully we can get a better draw and progress further."

Jan Trojanowski, who was unavailable for the National Cup quarter-final following a family bereavement, returned from the start and, with Jon Gaines holding his place, Scantlebury was the one to give way.

But the former England forward responded by recording a double-double in terms of points and rebounding, a feat also achieved by Trojanowski.

Brighton held off a late fightback by Chester to preserve their unbeaten record at the Triangle and make it an unhappy night for former Bears idol Steve Nelson. The ex-England guard fouled out with seven minutes remaining, but Chester then produced a 11-2 run to trail by only three points at 75-72 with just under two minutes to play.

But Bears closed the door by sinking three of their last eight points from the line and Nelson, who retires at the end of the season, reckons things are looking up for his old club.

He said: "It's now obviously a much deeper squad and a bit more money has been invested.

"I just hope the organisation looks after them in the way they deserve."

Bears, 22-21 ahead after the first quarter, led by 11 at 34-23 before Jets produced a 19-10 closing run to trail 44-42 at the break.

A 10-0 tear at the start of the third quarter re-established Bears' grip and, 63-53 in front going into the final period, they extended their lead to 16 at 69-53.

Chester's former Bears guard Greg Francis hit a game high 23 points, including four three-pointers from seven attempts, but Jets were out-rebounded 43-34.

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