BIG Storage Cheshire Jets’ play-off ambitions were dealt a blow on Sunday as they lost to one of their main rivals for a top-eight spot.

The Sharks leapt above Jets and into seventh in the table after edging a tight game at Northgate Arena.

Sharks’ Sherman Rivers led all scorers with 22 points, while Matt Gorman and Chris Sanders supported him with 14 each.

The teams could barely be separated through the first three quarters, with the Sharks leading 23-22 after the opening period, trailing 44-43 at the half, and ahead once more at 62-59 after three.

Sharks looked to have consolidated their lead as they opened the decisive quarter with an 8-2 burst that made the score 70-61. However, the Jets tied it once more at 70-70 after nine unanswered points.

The Sharks had edged back into a 78-74 lead with 50 seconds remaining, before Calvin Davis of the Jets was fouled shooting a three-pointer. He made all three free-throws to set up a tight finale.

However, Sanders and James Whyte did enough from the free-throw line to see the Jets off.