The champions Chester Jets put their title defence into gear with a 72-64 win over Birmingham Bullets at the Northgate Arena last night, after Newcastle Eagles had stung them with an 81-79 defeat at the Telewest Arena on Friday.

Shawnee Holloway, the Jets new point guard who replaces last season's League MVP John Thomas, top scored with 18 points, after also leading his new club with 21 on Friday.

Steve Bucknall, the 36-year-old surprise signing by the Bullets on Saturday, led their scorers with 15, the same total he scored in Saturday's 84-75 loss at home to London Towers.

Bucknall, English basketball's most successful foreign earner during spells in Greece, Italy, France, and Germany after also playing for the Los Angeles Lakers 12 years ago, has signed a short-term contract with the Bullets while he tries to find a new continental club.

The 6ft 6in forward was attracted to the Bullets because they are the only English club playing in Europe, the Western Conference of the Champions Cup, but Bullets coach Tony Garbelotto concedes he does not know how long he will be able to count on the veteran.

"We know Steve is after a much bigger contract on the continent and he is putting himself in the shop window, but in the meantime we have a super-experienced player to help us," Garbelotto said. The Bullets are away to Mons of Belgium in the Champions Cup tomorrow.

The Eagles, under new player-coach Fab Flournoy, completed a double-win first weekend by beating Scottish Rocks, formerly Edinburgh, 96-83 at Glasgow's Braeside Arena last night. Sheffield Sharks also won twice, beating Essex Leopards 83-78 last night following their 99-82 win over Milton Keynes on Saturday.