Levett Leopards opened the New Year in style with a 97-62 victory against the Welsh national team on Monday.

A capacity crowd at Oaklands College in St Albans saw the Big Cats dominate against a Wales team who were using the game as part of their preparations for the Commonwealth Games qualifying tournament.

Coach Steve Ogunjimi was able to give all 11 players in his squad at least 14 minutes of playing time in an extended, NBA length, game, with ten of them getting on the scoresheet.

Darrell Bethune led the way for Leopards with 21 points and six assists, while Mike Martin finished with a 17 point, 12 rebound double-double. Dougie Bennett added 16 points against a Welsh side he had played against for Scotland before, while AJ Roberts was two assists shy of a second successive triple double with ten points and as many boards, and Tosin Oyelese had eight points to go with his 14 rebounds.

Having seen their 25-16 first period lead shaved to 46-38 at half-time as Wales finished the half strongly, the hosts blew the visitors away in the second half with a 25-6 third period before outscoring them 26-18 in the fourth period as Leopards comfortably wrapped up the win.

The game was won on the boards as Leopards out-rebounded the visitors 81-47 ,with the discrepancy allowing them to take an incredible 104 field goal attempts.

Asa Wait led the 14-deep Welsh side with 12 points, with Daniel Welsh adding 11 and Jamie Rodwell recording a 12 rebound, ten point double-double.