The victorious Leopards team receive the DMC Trophy from director Fred Dicker

Game Photos from www.tgsphotos.co.uk

Jon Burnell believes that there is still room for improvement despite seeing his Essex & Herts Leopards team win the Dagenham Mortgage Centre Trophy, on Saturday.

“We should have won both games more comfortably” he said. “We’ve proved that we are a lot better than last season, but we have a lot of new faces and it takes time for them to get used to playing with each other. We look a bit disjointed at times, but it’s good to see that we are winning without playing well.”

The Leopards big men led the way as Jon Burnell's team opened the Dagenham Mortgage Centre Trophy with a victory against the Eagles.Troy Selvey and Eroll Seaman combined for 29 of the hosts' 54 points in a comfortable victory against the holders, with Selvey leading the way with 19.

Coach Burnell used only seven players in the 30 minute game, with guards Steve Ogunjimi and Sam Salter scoring 23 of the remaining 25 points.Seaman opened the scoring, before Selvey added six point to give the Big Cats an 8-6 lead.Coleman briefly levelled the score with a jump shot at the 10 minute mark, but that was the last time the visitors were on level terms as Leopards continued to dominate in the paint.Salter became only the third Leopard on the scoresheet when he drained a three just before the half-time buzzer to give Leopards a comfortable 21-13 lead at the break.

Although Selvey opened the second half with another lay-up, the Leopards backcourt final kicked into gear as Ogunjimi chipped in with 12 points and Salter added a further nine.Eagles were never able to get the margin below eight points, and the Big Cats closed out the game to set the pace in the competition.

The best game of the tournament did not involve the hosts, with Kings Lynn Fury's fresher legs eventually proving the difference between the two sides as they ran out 58-52 winners against Lakenheath.

That victory had clearly drained the Norfolk said, as Leopards rushed into s 20-5 lead in the deciding game.The Big Cats led 30-10 at half-time, and although Fury opened the second half with 12 straight points, a Selvey basket calmed the home side's nerves, and they comfortably completed a 44-29 victory to collect the first piece of silverware in their history.

So Leopards won all four of their pre-season games, and they go into Saturday’s EBL Trophy game against Reading Rockets at Goresbrook looking to make a good start in what appears to be a tough group. Worthing Thunder are the other side in three-team group, with all the teams in the group expected to challenge for honours this season. With only the group winner progressing to the semi-final, Burnell knows his side face a tough test. “We’ll work hard in practice this week, and will look a lot better when we face Reading” he said.

Saturday's game at Goresbrook tips-off at 7.30pm. Admission is £8 for adults (including programme) and £4.50 for children. Further details from 07940 539197