Sheffield Sharks joined Leicester Riders in the Final of the BBL Championship in a fortnight's time thanks to an 87-77 success over London Leopards in Saturday's semi-final. 

The game started with Sharks just edging the early stages, but the Leopards did not let the Yorkshiremen get away and Leopards trailed by only one point at the end of the first quarter at 15-16.

It was just as cagey in the second period, but Sharks managed to pull out a lead of as many as five points at 35-30. A 7-2 start to the third quarter by the Leopards gave the Brentwood-based club the lead at 42-41, following two Rico Alderson buckets. However, a 7-2 response by Sharks negated Leopards efforts and pulled the score out to 48-44 to Chris Finch's side. 

Leopards would not give up, however, and the third quarter finished with the Southerners one point to the good at 56-55. In a pulsating and tense fourth quarter, the two teams went almost basket for basket in the first five minutes, but with the score tied at 64-64, Sharks hit seven straight points to edge decisively in front. 

Sheffield extended that lead out to as many as 12 points at 84-72, as foul trouble overcame the Leopards. Terrell Myers was in sparkling form, netting a game-high 22 points for Sheffield to book their ticket to a first Wembley final on May 5. 

"The longer we hung around, the better it was for us," said a delighted Finch. "We made key plays down the stretch and obviously we're very excited to get there. It's our first time in the final."

Alderson was Leopards' top scorer with 17 points.