Worthing Thunder were sunk by three of their former players as their NBL Conference season got off to a losing start.

They let slip a 56-44 half-time lead to go down 96-93 at home to Sutton Pumas.

The third quarter proved key as Thunder repeatedly lost control of the ball and were outscored 28-14.

Sutton's lead was up to nine with two minutes to go.

Lavoris Jerry replied with two three-pointers but former Thunder skipper Paul Mundy-Castle settled it from the free throw line.

Mundy-Castle (25), Pete Knechtel (19) and Dwayne Martin (13) combined for 57 points against their former club.

Gaylon Moore and Rani Malik sparked Thunder's best spell of the match as they took the second quarter 30-17.

Thunder's trophy match at Westminster yesterday was cancelled. The group had already been decided.

Thunder: Jerry 33, Moore 24, Addy 11, Harris 10, Malik 9, Brame 4, Hildreth 2.