Reading Rockets will be back in action this weekend after a mini break when they entertain Kent Crusaders on Saturday evening at 7.45pm in their second NBL Division One game before welcoming Division Three side Plymouth Raiders II to Reading on Sunday afternoon at 4.45pm for a third round match up in the National Cup with both games taking place at Loddon Valley Leisure Centre.
Rockets currently top NBL Division One after beating Lancashire Spinners a few weeks back and also are in pole position in their National Trophy group with four straight wins. Victories against Oxford City Hoops and Greenwich Titans in the National Cup mean the Berkshire outfit have won their first seven games and will be looking to continue their form this weekend.
Saturday’s visitors Kent Crusaders have already made one trip to Reading this season in the National Trophy but came away empty handed as the home team ran out comfortable winners by 96 points to 66. Sunday’s opponents Plymouth Raiders II had a first round walkover in the National Cup before beating Bristol Academy Flyers II to set up a third round clash with the Rockets.
Head Coach Manuel Pena Garces is looking forward to getting back to action but knows it will be a difficult weekend and has some concerns still over injuries. The Spaniard said,
“It has been good for us to have a short break but we are all really looking forward to getting back to action and hopefully building on our solid start to the season. I have been pleased with how the team has come together so far but now is the time to kick on and further improve in the run up to Christmas.”
“This starts this weekend with the visits of Kent and Plymouth in what I think will be difficult games but in different ways and with us still looking at some injuries we have, we will need to fight hard in both and make sure we take one game at a time. I am a little concerned about a couple of players but I think we have a good core to our squad so I am hoping for two positive results.”
“Kent are a very young team but are growing in confidence every game and after our last game against them they will have undoubtedly made some adjustments and be fired up and ready to play. Plymouth are a bit of an unknown quantity to us right now but knowing their overall organisation I think they will play hard, and have prepared in a game that is really nothing to lose for them.”
Rockets go into the double header weekend with some concerning news surrounding their Captain Danny Carter. The 26 year old has starred for the Berkshire outfit so far this term but has suffered a knee injury and is currently awaiting an MRI scan to see the extent of the injury. English shooting guard Joel Keeble still remains sidelined with his fractured rib
but Bulgarian guard Dian Ivanov, who has been receiving treatment on a groin injury, does look set to return to action this weekend.
A reminder to all Rockets fans that both games this weekend will be at Loddon Valley Leisure Centre as the club’s normal home venue of Rivermead Leisure Complex is unavailable. To keep up to date with all the latest news visit www.readingrockets.co.uk and follow on Twitter @rocketsreading.
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