Reading Rockets will play two games in three days this week starting with a trip to Wales on Thursday evening when they take on NBL Division Four outfit Cardiff City in the third round of the National Cup (8.40pm tip-off) before returning to Reading to entertain Derby Trailblazers on Saturday evening (6pm tip-off) in their first home league game of the 2016-2017 season. The Berkshire outfit picked up their second win on the bounce as they beat local rivals Hemel Storm in their opening NBL Division One game, running out winners by 98 points to 79. This weekend they will face the team that finished runners-up last term but whom Rockets recorded a memorable play-off semi-final away win at Noel Baker School as the Trailblazers visit Bohunt School which will host it’s first ever NBL Division One Men’s game.
After last Saturday’s important opening win against Hemel Storm, Rockets Head Coach Manuel Peña Garcés was pleased with how his team performed and is enjoying the start of the journey with his current group. In speaking ahead of his teams two games the Spaniard said,
[su_quote]“This season we are taking a different approach to practices and games and how we are as a group. We are doing some great work behind the scenes and we are really happy with how the players have responded to their roles and responsibilities as well as providing a culture that promotes learning and respect amongst each other. The very beginnings of this definitely showed last Saturday in our win against Hemel and I felt we took a positive step forward towards where we eventually want to be. It is very early on in the season so we cannot think our work is done, it is merely beginning and our time together will be really important in achieving the goals set.”[/su_quote]
[su_quote]“This week is a tough one as we have to make a trip to Wales to play a Division Four team that can potentially be a banana skin what with it being a one-off, winner takes all game before less than 48 hours later returning to Reading to take on a well-coached, well-balanced Derby Trailblazers team who have been great over the last two seasons since their promotion back to Division One. We will take each game as it comes, put an emphasis on the areas we want to be great in, and respect and prepare for each opponent. We are excited but we have a lot of work still to do.”[/su_quote]
In the National Cup last season, Rockets exited the competition at the quarter-final stage losing out to Worthing Thunder 91-80. The Berkshire outfit has never lost to lower league opposition in a cup competition and will be hoping to keep that trend with Thursday’s visit to Cardiff, a game due to be played at home in Reading but moved to the Welsh capital with fixture congestion and venue issues not allowing this to happen in Reading. Rockets chairman Gary Johnson had this to say on the matter,
[su_quote]“It has been really difficult to try and arrange this game due to many different reasons between the two teams and it is unfortunate that our fans have to miss out on the first cup tie of the season, however, despite the late tip-off time, we are grateful to Cardiff City for hosting us and we will go there in the hope of advancing to the next round to give our fans enjoyment of what is a great competition for us and the town.”[/su_quote]
Rockets go into their double header with a fully fit squad despite some illness in the camp. A few of the Reading personnel have been suffering with cold/flu like symptoms but should have recovered in time for the visit to Cardiff. With no injury concerns as yet, Head Coach Manuel Peña Garcés only selection dilemma is which of his two American players he plays against Cardiff with higher league teams only being allowed to play one import player against lower league opposition. The Spanish play-caller will make his decision between point guard Craig Ponder and forward Chris Hooper before Thursday’s game in which the 3 times National Cup winners will look to start the process of adding trophy number four to their cabinet as they finally get their cup campaign underway.
To keep up to date with all the latest news and information, visit the Rockets website www.readingrockets.co.uk <https://readingrockets.co.uk/rr2021> and for the latest build up to this week’s games as well as game day score updates, follow the club on Twitter @rocketsreading.