Most neutrals expected a massacre to occur, but it is to A & T's immense credit that they put up a spirited display, before going down 102-73. Darek Kurkowski was in tremendous form for A & T, stopping the maximum hopes of all but the European Champion, Damian Wozny, winning three races and dropping just two points from his five races. Danny Hughes also put in a fighting display, with George Hughes and Mark Taylor both well amongst the points. With four veterans in the line-up, A & T's plucky showing surprised many, against a team containing the current European Champion, three other top Polish internationals, and the three times World Champion.

Midlands/North League Play-Off Semi-Final

Astley & Tyldesley MWC 73 Coventry 102

A & T: Darek Kurkowski 17 (1), Danny Hughes 13 (1), George Hughes 11, Mark Taylor 11, Steve Kellett 8, Roy Heslop 7 (1), Mike Hack 6.

Coventry: Damian Wozny 19 (1), Dave Hemsley 17 (2), Przemek Binkowski 15 (4), Robert Bedra 14 (2), Joe McLaughlin 13, Dave Frith 10 (2), Carl Wassall 8, Dominik Rycharski 6.

Referee - Lewis Bates (Stoke).

Coventry will meet Sheffield in the final, after they easily saw off Stockport 104-76 in the other semi-final.