Reading Rockets (14-7) will look to extend their six game winning streak this weekend as they take on the favourites for the NBL Division One title in the shape of National Trophy winners Team Solent Kestrels (17-3) on Saturday evening at Bohunt School, 5pm tip-off. The Rockets recorded two vital wins in the hunt for a top four finish in the division and home court advantage in the play-off quarter finals by beating Leicester Warriors in overtime on Saturday night 105-102 before returning to Reading and capturing a 109-87 victory against Derby Trailblazers. After their recent National Trophy success, Team Solent Kestrels are also one of the form teams in the league having won their last seven games and 13 out of the last 14 in league play. The two teams have met three times already this season in the National Cup, National Trophy, and league with Saturday\u2019s visitors in charge of the series 3-0 having captured an 89-67 win in the quarter-final of the National Cup, a 93-78 victory in the National Trophy, and a 70-59 success in league play most recently.<\/p>\n
Rockets Head Coach Manuel Pe\u00f1a Garc\u00e9s was pleased to see his team pick up two important wins against two very competitive teams but knows continued work is needed at the defensive end after a duo of high scoring affairs. The Reading play-caller said,<\/p>\n
[su_quote]Last weekend we showed some really good character, discipline, and application to get two crucial wins as the regular season draws to a close and I am really pleased with how the players overcame some adversity in both games. Their behaviours have continued to be very good but now we must focus on specific areas starting with defence and how we apply ourselves to this and our tactics during each game. Application and clarity are key at this time of the season especially when you are preparing to play one of the league\u2019s best teams.\u201d<\/p>\n
Team Solent have been excellent this season and Coach Matt (Guymon, Team Solent Kestrels\u2019 Head Coach) has done an exceptional job in only their second year back in the league and we know Saturday\u2019s game will be a very hard fought encounter. They have strength and depth at every position but in our last game against them we did a much better job and I believe that with that and our improved performances we have a great chance of securing another win. It is going to be tough and we are really going to need our fans at Bohunt but it should be a really exciting game and we cannot wait to play![\/su_quote]<\/p>\n
Rockets go into Saturday\u2019s match-up hoping for some better news on the injury front to their Under 19 trio. Forward Alex Drincic has been out of action with tendonitis in his foot but returned to training earlier this week and should be available to play but will be a game time decision. Spaniard Adrian Nosa Castillo is still carrying an ankle injury and will also be assessed before the weekend with his Under 18 team also in action on the same day but it\u2019s likely the 6\u20194 forward will miss out. His fellow countryman I\u00f1igo Perez Baena will also be a game time decision after corrective surgery on a broken nose. The recently turned 18 year old had manipulation on his injured nose he sustained in an Under 18 game two weeks ago but is keen to play heading into the final few weeks of the season. <\/p>\n
After losing five out of six games before their current six game winning streak, the Rockets will be looking to put their mid-season blip behind them as the regular season comes to crunch time with both teams vying for slightly different objectives in the next three games but with all to play for with the post season approaching.<\/p>\n
Follow the Rockets on social media; Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram – @rocketsreading or check out the club\u2019s website – www.readingrockets.co.uk <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Reading Rockets (14-7) will look to extend their six game winning streak this weekend as they take on the favourites for the NBL Division One title in the shape of National Trophy winners Team Solent Kestrels (17-3) on Saturday evening at Bohunt School, 5pm tip-off. The Rockets recorded two vital wins in the hunt for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2724,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_price":"","_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"0","_ticket_start_date":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":false,"_tribe_ticket_use_global_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_global_stock_level":"","_global_stock_mode":"","_global_stock_cap":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_going_count":"","_tribe_ticket_not_going_count":"","_tribe_tickets_list":[],"_tribe_ticket_has_attendee_info_fields":false,"spay_email":""},"categories":[4,6],"tags":[162,144,143,142,158],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/readingrockets.co.uk\/rr2021\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/IMG_1463-newshdr.png?fit=700%2C298&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pdDaI5-HV","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3300,"url":"https:\/\/readingrockets.co.uk\/rr2021\/rockets-prepare-to-continue-winning-streak\/","url_meta":{"origin":2723,"position":0},"title":"Rockets prepare to continue winning streak","date":"20\/11\/2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Reading Rockets are back on the road this week following an impressive run of form that has seen them move up into the top-six of the National Basketball League Division 1. 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Rockets suffered their second defeat\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Mens Team"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/readingrockets.co.uk\/rr2021\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/IMG_9048-news.png?fit=700%2C298&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":4485,"url":"https:\/\/readingrockets.co.uk\/rr2021\/rockets-to-face-league-leaders-in-top-of-the-table-clash\/","url_meta":{"origin":2723,"position":4},"title":"Rockets to face league leaders in top of the table clash","date":"11\/11\/2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Reading Rockets (6-1) will take on reigning NBL Division One champions and current league leaders Solent Kestrels (7-0) on Saturday evening, 6pm tip-off at Solent Sports Complex in what\u2019s billed as a top of the table clash. 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