A shorter slate of just three games in Super League Basketball this weekend didn’t hinder the level of excitement, as the Cup competition got underway and the Championship continued with a clash between two of the early-season title favourites.

Here’s a look back at the action.

Cardiff Met Archers 83-90 Nottingham Wildcats

Nottingham Wildcats secured their first win of the season at the fifth attempt after a hard-fought 90-83 SLB Cup victory over the Cardiff Met Archers in South Wales.

In a back-and-forth encounter, where both teams enjoyed solid spells and exchanged several lead changes, a strong third period from the Wildcats, where they outscored Cardiff 33-19, ultimately settled matters.

It overturned a 46-43 Archers lead at half-time into a 76-65 advantage for Nottingham heading into the fourth period, and despite the hosts threatening, the Wildcats held on for a gritty victory.

Johannah Langbehn shot an impressive 9/11 from the field for 23 points, and she pulled down seven rebounds to lead the victors with able support from Kalaya Buggs, who amassed 18 points herself.

Sheridan Flauger led the Archers with 25 points as they shot a solid 50% from the field, but just fell short.

Leicester Riders 89-74 London Lions

A clinical first half lifted the Leicester Riders to an 89-74 victory over the London Lions at Loughborough University in the SLB Cup.

The Riders were pegged back in the third and fourth periods by a stubborn Lions side, but the hosts had the advantage in the first two quarters, leading 48-34, and that proved to be the difference between the two sides.

Great Britain international Katie Januszewska led the Riders with 24 points. Annika Shah led the Lions’ charge with a game-high 28 points.

Essex Rebels 74-70 Caledonia Gladiators

Essex Rebels did just enough to have the edge on the Caledonia Gladiators in the SLB Championship opener.

Maria Blazejewski and Nat Chou both had 20 points for the Rebels, with the latter splitting her free throws in the dying seconds to create separation between the two sides for a 74-70 victory in Colchester.

But for Essex, it was nearly an opportunity spurned, as they almost let an 18-point lead slip. The Gladiators fought back and even knotted the game at 61-61 midway through the fourth quarter.

But the Rebels had enough character to retake the lead and maintain it when it mattered.

Tierra Hodges led Caledonia with 21 points and eight rebounds.