MALVERN Mavericks’ basketball aces won the John Llewellyn Handicap Plate in their first season of competition.

They beat an experienced Cheltenham Hawks team 80-73 in the final at Hartpury College after going into the game with a 21-point handicap.

Mavs were led by 19 points from the game’s most valuable player Luke Johnson followed by Thomas Cox on 15 and Joel Franks and Rob Noel with eight apiece.

Player-coach Will Brain, who was sidelined through injury, said: “I couldn’t be prouder of the team.

“They left it all on the court and gave everything they could for each other.

"It was our outstanding teamwork and defence that got us to the finals and it was also what helped us take down a Hawks squad that always finish in the top half of the table.

“What a season it was for us and we can now only build on it in the off-season.”

Captain Cox said: “Credit to the Hawks. They put up a valiant effort and pushed us all the way.

“I am really pleased with how we played and we deserved to come out on top.

“It was a fantastic way to cap off our debut season in the league by taking the trophy and now we look ahead to pre-season to get ready for next year.”