BLAZING Panthers turned the tables on defending Berger Paint Division One champions, Tivoli All Stars, to capture the 2003 mid-season final at the National Stadium Courts on Saturday.

The final went on in earnest, depite two power cuts during the game

Led by 21 points from Dwayne Harris, plus 15 points, and 10 points and 14 rebounds from Dave McGowan and Desmond Harriot respectively, the Donald Bimmer-coached team rallied to claim victory.

David Martin top-scored for Tivoli with a game-high 24 points. Paul Oliphant was their next best score with 16.

Bimmer said a good tactical game from his team was what gave them the win: "The team was able to stick to a game plan, especially defensively, and it materialised in that we made key stops and we were able to contain the offence of Tivoli," he said.

Meanwhile, Tivoli's Dennis Hutchinson blamed a poor defensive game for his team's defeat: "We didn't play any defence, we just could not stop them from scoring," he said.

"The people whom we were looking to perform at both ends of the court didn't do that, and what contributed more ... was that Andrews (Richard) picked up an ankle injury and we had to pull him out ...," he said.

Tivoli were the better team in the opening quarter, leading 20-12, but the Panthers roared back into the game, outscoring the West Kingston side, 31-17, in the second for a 43-37 lead at the interval.

A ding-dong battle ensued throughout the third-quarter, although the Panthers maintained their advantage (61-57) at the break.

Despite trying everything in the last quarter, Tivoli just could not overhaul the determined Panthers.

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