DEFENDING champions Chester Jets began their defence of the BBL Trophy with a 20-point win at Brighton Bears on Saturday Thames Valley Tigers join Chester level at the top of Group A after their 102-80 success at Nurishment Leicester Riders.

After a good first quarter for the Bears, Jets outscored Brighton 36-17 in the second quarter to lead 50-39 at half-time.

A 15-5 tear in the third quarter extended Chester's lead to 73-55 and they never looked back from there. The closest Bears got was 11 points at 90-79 in the fourth quarter.

Albert White bagged 19 points for the Bears, but it was Chester's John Thomas who led all scorers with 31 points. John McCord chipped in with 23 points and Calvin Davis had 22.

Said Chester's head coach Robbie Peers: 'I was pleased with our performance. Brighton are a talented side, but we won well and kept up our high standards.'