CHESTER JETS were beaten in the play-off title as Sheffield Sharks avenged a final defeat by Jets two years ago.

It means Sheffield have finally completed the set of the four British basketball major titles in their 10-year history as coach Peter Scantlebury capped his first year in charge with a trophy.

Sheffield centre Lynard Stewart earned the most valuable player award for his 25 points, scoring eight points as the Jets narrowly edged the first 10 minutes 19-18.

Sharks tied the game 26-26 with six minutes remaining of the second quarter with the second of captain Iain McKinney's three-pointers, then went on to post a sevenpoint advantage with a pair of Stewart baskets. At the interval the Sharks led 44-38. That lead stretched to 13 points as Sheffield started the second half with a 7-0 run, but three three-pointers from Michael Nurse were the backbone of Chester's response.

However, two late drives from Robert Yanders gave Sheffield a 60-55 advantage at threequarter time.

Yanders' three, five minutes from the end of the match, gave Sheffield a seven-point cushion. They kept the lead at five points or more for the next three minutes.

Trailing 79-71 with just under two minutes remaining, Chester could only manage a single three-pointer from Nurse as Sheffield hit six of their eight free throws and finished in style Stewart gleefully slamming home the final basket with 38 seconds left.