BBL FIXTURES HAND DURHAM TOUGH START

By Mark Woods
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Updated: July 6, 2011

BBL newcomers Durham Wildcats have been handed a daunting BBL Trophy group – and a tough Cup first round tie – in their debut campaign in the league.

The newcomers have been paired with Newcastle and Glasgow in the northern group in the first competition and landed a home clash with Plymouth in the latter.

With the domestic season starting two weeks later than in 2010 following negative feedback from coaches, the opening night on September will see Newcastle host the Rocks and Cheshire visiting Sheffield.

Durham’s first game is at home to the Eagles a day later.

The Trophy splits the BBL teams into 4 regional groups with the teams playing each other both home and away and with the winner of each group progressing to the semi final round.

The BBL Cup gets tips off in late October with the first round involving eight BBL teams. The pick of the 1st round games will see Paul James play host to his former club, as the Worcester Wolves take on the Guildford Heat.

The top four teams from last season’s BBL Championship table receive a bye to the quarter final round which will be played in mid November. Two-legged semi finals will follow before the BBL Cup Final which will be held on Sunday January 15 2012 at the NIA, Birmingham.

The regular Championship season draws to a close on April 22 2012 with the top eight teams from the BBL Championship table qualifying for the end of season play-offs. Two legged quarter and semi final rounds lead to a single leg Playoff Final which will be held on Saturday May 12 2012 at the NIA, Birmingham.

BBL Trophy Groups

North 1 – Glasgow Rocks, Newcastle Eagles, Durham Wildcats

North 2 -, Mersey Tigers, Sheffield Sharks, Cheshire Jets

South 1 – Leicester Riders, MK Lions, Essex Pirates

South 2 – Guildford Heat, Worcester Wolves, Plymouth Raiders

BBL Cup Draw

1st Round

Durham Wildcats v Plymouth Raiders

Glasgow Rocks v Essex Pirates

Worcester Wolves v Guildford Heat

Leicester Riders v MK Lions

Quarter Finals