THE misery continued for Notre Dame when they went down to Neptune, who maintained their unbeaten run, at the National Arena on Saturday night, with the Leesiders winning by a comprehensive margin of 13 points, 103 to 90. Up north Star of the Sea also maintained parity as the only other unbeaten side when they accounted for Queens in the Belfast derby.

A close opening half saw only one point separate the sides with Neptune favoured by a one point margin. But nothing concentrates the mind like the thought of being released and Terry Strickland rumoured to be on his way from the Cork outfit in recent weeks, suddenly rediscovered the form that made him such a vital player for several outfits over the years, to help swing the game in Neptune's favour. Strickland combined well with Mario Mullins in the second half to dispose of the challenge of the Dubliners.

But Neptune were helped on their way by a loss of concentration by Notre Dame in that second half. Indeed, the home side will also point to some poor defensive work as the possible cause of their downfall, something which no doubt player/coach Anthony Jenkins will concentrate heavily upon in sessions over the next few weeks.

In the women's Gateaux league, Meteors recorded their second win in as many weeks with Karen Hennessy again their top scorer, as they saw off the challenge of Tolka Rovers more easily than was anticipated on a 82 to 39 points scoreline.

Defending champions, Wildcats, got their challenge off to a winning start accounting for MSB comfortably, while Burnell were too strong for Tralee.