Alfredo Ott today backed Worthing Thunder to put their cup final heartbreak behind them and contend for league honours.

Ott was on fire from three-point territory as Thunder remained in the thick of the EBL division one title battle.

He had seven first-half threes, five of them in a decisive second quarter, as the hosts saw off a dogged West Herts Warriors side to improve their won-lost record to 8-1.

That leaves them level with Manchester, who they visit next Saturday, and just behind leaders Reading, who are 9-1.

Despite being outscored in the first period, Thunder showed no ill-effects from their National Cup final defeat to Manchester six days earlier as they enjoyed a trademark Worthing points feast.

Ott was delighted to see the team get a good win under their belts.

The American guard, who led them with 40 points, said: "That was good. We had two games last week and we were so frustrated we couldn't get that win in the final.

"But from now on we feel like we can do all right.

"We had a long week together and we are ready to get our chemistry back.

"I think we are moving the ball a little better now.

"And they were playing zone.

That helped (with the three-point shooting) as well."

Thunder are getting used to life with American swingman Marcus Avant playing instead of compatriot Hank Rivers.

That is not their only recent personnel change.

Daniel Hildreth played his first Thunder game for almost two years on Saturday as coach Gary Smith delivered on his promise to give James Brame back-up at point guard.

It was not really an evening for a defensive exponent like Hildreth.

But an upbeat crowd lapped up the helter-skelter entertainment as the sides combined to put up 123 field goal attempts plus 70 free throws between them.

Thunder had an 11-0 run in the second quarter and led 91-75 late in the third but a couple of late threes by Lormont Sharp kept West Herts alive.

They were ten points down going into the last 80 seconds but four free throws by Ott, who was perfect from the line, ended their flickering hopes.

Ott admitted: "West Herts didn't go away. Stanley Burrison had a really good game for them inside. They didn't give up."

Thunder's Pat Bates also fared well with a big doubledouble plus six blocks, two of them off former Brighton Bear Tom Frederick in the opening seconds of the fourth period.

West Hert beat Manchester 85-83 in the National Trophy yesterday which means Thunder host London Capitals in the semis on January 28.