Reading Rockets will be looking to return to winning ways this weekend when they take on Westminster Warriors in their fourth NBL Division One clash on Saturday evening (7.45pm tip-off) at Loddon Valley Leisure Centre. Rockets lost out for the second time in successive games last weekend when they were defeated by Worthing Thunder 70-68 to finish in 4th place in their National Trophy pool meaning an away tie to Lancashire Spinners in the quarter-finals in January. It was only the Berkshire outfit’s second defeat of the season having won the previous 11 games in all competitions but the Reading team will be looking to preserve their 100% record in league play against a team they have already defeated this season back in October when they won by 85 points to 80 in the National Trophy.
Rockets Head Coach Manuel Pena Garces knows his team now has a lot of work to do between now and Saturday’s game and insisits that his players must be more disciplined in the important parts of the game. The Spaniard said,
“We did not deserve to win the game on Sunday because we made a lot of bad errors and were not disciplined in the parts of the game that required us to be and this is something we need to put right during this week of practice. Credit to Worthing they played a good game but we need to be accountable for our mistakes and that will be our main focus as well as continuing to put in the hard work that we have already done so far this season.”
“Having lost back to back games will in fact help us I think and get us prepared for the tough test we are to face this Saturday against Westminster, a team that has also started the season off really well but lost a few games in recent weeks. I think this is an ideal game for us because we play an opponent that will give us a really good test, an opponent that plays physically, and an opponent that we have beaten meaning we can take some confidence from that but at the same time be in the knowledge of their threats. A really good game is in store and I am really hoping we can get back to winning ways and maintain our unbeaten start to Division One.”
Rockets go into this weekend’s league game with no new injury concerns after shooting guard Joel Keeble returned to the fold after his six weeks on the sideline with a fractured rib. The 22 year old played only 10 minutes on his return to action so will be hoping another week of training will see him back into Manuel Pena Garces’ rotations this weekend. Captain Danny Carter remains fit after his knee complaint and his 20 points personal in Sunday’s loss to Worthing, and the Berkshire club will be hoping the form of forward David Ajumobi will continue after his 21 points 8 rebounds haul in the same game.
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