And a 94-86 Thunder victory over PAWS London Capitals on Saturday offered the fans a rosier dawn to 2005 than they dared expect. Capitals presented genuine obstacle and in a scenario in which Thunder needed their players to step up their presence, the actors delivered all their lines. Guard Steven Gayle led with 22 points, 16 of them to turn the match around in the second quarter. Centre Teon Knox scored another 21 and small forward David Butterworth continued his exciting recent progress with 16 which included four three-point sinkings. One of Thunder's seven fit players was 6ft 9in local centre Pat Bates, from Brighton Bears. He debuted with eight points and four blocks. Coach Gary Smith said: "He played really confidently inside, in our mix. Teon and Gaylon Moore played really well. David opened it up for us offensively and Danny Hildreth came off the bench and raised our tempo. "Defensively, we locked things up." Leopards have changed one of their Americans, one expects for the better, and Thunder this Saturday can show the fans how they are rumbling anew.