London United started their EBL Div 1 league campaign with a hard fought win at Sheffield Arrows at the impressive English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.

Sheffield Arrows who finished one place behind London last season had recruited heavily in the summer adding BBL players Todd Cauthorn and Mike Payne to their roster along with two Americans Patten and Blankson.

The game started well for London as they took a 6-0 lead with Garnet Gayle picking up two quick fouls to his own dismay, however scoring guard Patten showed that he has speed and ability to shoot the ball by adding 5 quick points and 2 assists giving his fellow American Blankson 2 easy looks under the basket.

The game seemed to continue in that vein throughout with London threatening to extent their points tally only for Arrows to keep coming back.

The first quarter closed out at 18-14 Arrows way with Patten scoring 12 points for Arrows.

The 2nd quarter saw London's Rob Smith come off the bench helping London to level the scores until Mumuni scored a couple of big baskets going to the hoop and shooting the 3. The half finished with United taking a narrow lead at 28-32.

The referees were very strict and didn't help with the flow of the game with London already having their four centres pick up 3 fouls each, however the coaches rotation helped keep them out of further trouble.

The second half was slow to get going until Mumuni hit another long 3 pointer after both teams were unable to add to the score line for at least 3 minutes.

Scores traded for most of the quarter again with Patten doing most of the damage for Arrows, however Mumuni really stepped up his offensive intensity with 9 of his own points.

Pete Deppisch entered the scene in the 2nd half to add some shooting fire power which Arrows tried hard to contain with some special attention, however the referees started to make more foul calls breaking the game up and putting both teams on the foul line.

London made the most of each offence and hit the majority of their free throws going into the stretch sitting on a 5 point lead with 2 minutes remaining. With Mumuni missing 2 free throws Patten continued as the main offensive threat for Arrows and his efforts brought them to within 3 points in the last minute. Again fouling to stop the clock Arrows couldn't stop London from closing the game out scoring 4 from 6 shots on the line.

London won the game 68-74 with Mumuni scoring 19, Van Elswyk 14 and Callender 10.

Patten scored the game high 31 points for Arrows.

London Line up Vear, Deppisch, Van Elswyk, Williams, Smith, Reid, Mumuni, Callender, Jagodka, Saloman and Kubacki Coaches: Majewski and Schiller.

London now take on a double header weekend playing at home against newly promoted Worcester Wolves on Saturday at Brunel Uxbridge tip at 3pm and then away to Worthing on Sunday in the National Cup.