WORCESTER Wolves stretched their winning streak in the British League to six games with victory over Sheffield Sharks.

Their latest success keeps Wolves second in the table, level on points with Newcastle Eagles but having played two more matches.

The hosts did just enough to keep their noses in front for most of the contest, leading to another thrilling finish in front of another big crowd at the University Arena.

Robert Thurman led four double-digit scorers for the Wolves, with 17 points, alongside eight rebounds.

Paul Guede was similarly productive with 16 points and nine rebounds, while Chavis Holmes and Alex Owumi tallied 15 and 13 respectively. Mike Cook top-scored for Sheffield with 15 points.

Head coach Paul James said: “It was another tight game for us, but as long as we get another notch in the win column then we’re doing our job.

“We’ve been in many close matches this season, but we’ve learnt to stick to our guns and not panic in those situations.”

Sheffield looked ill at ease early on. In the first five minutes they fumbled the ball out of bounds, put up a shot that hit thin air and even failed to make a shot attempt within the permitted 24 seconds.

Leading 19-12 entering the second quarter, it was Worcester’s turn to falter. Five minutes elapsed before their next success from the field, a triple from Jamal Williams.

Trailing at 31-30 with less than two minutes remaining until half-time, home debutant Dejan Radojevic nailed his first points.

In the dying seconds, Guede managed to dislodge the ball from the hands of Cook, racing down-court for a spectacular sideways dunk and a 39-33 advantage.

At six minutes to go, Worcester led 65-56 but, with just two minutes to play, a streak of scoring from Sharks’ Nick Lewis had narrowed the gap to 69-66.

Thurman had to leave the fray after picking up his fifth foul and also drew a technical penalty for voicing his displeasure to match officials.

Sheffield’s resultant free throws were converted in opening a 70-69 lead but guards Holmes and Guede made shots from the free throw line to ease Wolves clear at 77-70.

There was more drama as Lewis dragged Sheffield back to 77-75 with just seven seconds to go but Radojevic kept his cool to make the second of two free throws to seal the success.