London Utd won the first game of the season at Capital Academy against local rivals London Capitals in the National Trophy 82-85.

In what ended as a close game London took the lead early on to establish their inside presence with Peter Van Elswyk causing most of the damage to give United a 1st quarter 7 point lead.

That lead was stretched out to 12 in the 2nd quarter as Deppisch hit 2 consecutive long range three's, however some sloppy play enabled Capitals to bring it back to 9 United put Capitals on the foul line 3 times running in the last minute of the quarter.

The third quarter saw Capitals young buck Ibrahim Gariba take the game on individually and with 9 points he helped his team come back to within a point at 63-64 as United lost their way at both ends of the floor.

The last quarter saw Capitals draw level at 71-71 in the 4th minute however United's point guard Pawel Machnyia stepped up with big a three pointer to give United the impetus again as saloman converted from underneath to push it in United's favour again.

After a 6 point run from Capitals and with 16 seconds on the clock, United were still one up at 82-83 up as Machnyia went to the foul line to shoot two.

He made the first and missed the second (82-84) for Capitals to come down and not be able to get a shot off until Jiven's forced a three point effort under huge defensive pressure. His miss enabled United to gain possession and get fouled on the ball. Van Elswyk went to the line to make 1 from 2 to give United the 3 point victory.

Coaches Majewski and Schiller were not to unhappy with the performance, this being the 1st game of the season having only played 2 pre-season games, along with the fact that Frederick's was not properly fit with a back injury and no Jagodka or American Keith Bridges.

Scorers for United were Van Elswyk 18, Mumuni 16, Machnyia 15, Deppisch 14, Frederick 9, Salamon 8 and Klocek 3.

Game high score came from Capitals Gariba with 27.

United now face a National Cup 2nd round game at home to London Towers 2nd team at Brunel Osterley next Sunday tip off at 6pm.