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Normantas out for rest of the season

Reading Rockets have been dealt yet another injury blow with the news that Lithuanian guard Kastytis Normantas has been ruled out for the remainder of their campaign. The 26 year old, who was the Berkshire club's most recent signing, injured his hamstring during the Rockets' away win at Medway Park Crusaders earlier this month and looked to be out of action for 4-6 weeks. However, on return to his native country where he had originally gone back to for additional treatment, a scan revealed he had also torn a blood vessel which required surgery and therefore ruled him out for up to three months and ultimately ended his season with the Reading outfit.

Under 18s in Final - Magic 77 Rockets 57

Rockets Under 18 Men travelled to Manchester to play Manchester Magic in the Sureshot Cup Final at the Amaechi Basketball Centre. Head Coach J P Campbell knew it was going to be tough and after a disappointing first half for his team, Rockets showed great determination and skill to come back at Magic causing their Coach some consternation as the wave of improved play at both ends of the court put some strain on the northern team.

WINS FOR ALL 3 SENIOR ROCKETS TEAMS

Saturday saw a win for all 3 senior teams including Division 2 women, Division 4 Men and Division 1 men. The women had a close encounter with Cardiff Celts in Wales where they got off to a storming start holding the welsh side to 7 in the first quarter. The Reading side struggled to keep up this momentum but still held on and won their game 72-58 moving them back up to 2nd in the National League table.

Division 4 had a tough ride to Brentwood storm taking only 6 players with them to compete. However the side put out a tremendous performance and by staying out of foul trouble and keeping their composure on offence they took home a 64-57 victory.

Finally on Saturday the Rockets Division One Men get their 3rd league game win in a row beating Westminster away 89-62 with 5 players scoring double figures.

A great weekend for all the Rockets Senior Teams.

Great Job!!

Rockets 89 Westminster Warriors 62

Though devastated with the news that Rockets' experienced Lithuanian guard has had to undergo surgery and will be out for the rest of the season, coupled to the Under 18s leaving early for their SureShot final in Manchester, a depleted, in numbers but not in attitude and commitment, Rockets team travelled to Westminster and secured a thoroughly deserved 27 point victory led by Captain Ryan Lohfink who top scored with 27 points, with 19 year old Lewis Champion, now a key member of the squad and a major contributor, hitting 16 points, with Parker, Gamble and Nelson on 14, 12 and 10 respectively, as all the players scored and the team gave a superb performance in front of the travelling supporters.

Rockets looking for their third straight league win

Reading Rockets (7-6) will be looking to bounce back from their National Trophy semi-final defeat this Saturday when they travel to London to take on bottom of the league side Westminster Warriors (2-12) at the Moberly Sports Centre (6pm tip-off). Sunday's game against table-toppers Bristol Academy Flyers has however been postponed due to the Rockets Under 18 Premier team being in Sureshot Cup final action in Manchester at the Amaechi Basketball Centre on the same day (1.45pm tip-off). The Berkshire club go into Saturday's game looking to pick up their third league win in a row to keep themselves in the hunt for a play-off place, whilst the Warriors will be searching for only their third win of the campaign as they look to escape from the relegation zone. The Reading team will be looking to put behind them only their second loss at the semi final stage in five years in the National Trophy competition, whilst the Westminster outfit will be hoping for the same performance they gave against Medway Park Crusaders last month where they won by seven points in Kent.

This Sunday's home game against Bristol postponed

Following the success of the Under 18 Premier team who will be playing in the Sureshot final on Sunday in Manchester, the Rockets Div. 1 game against Bristol Academy Flyers which was due to take place at Rivermead tipping at 4 pm this coming Sunday (19th February), has been postponed. It will now take place on Saturday 10th March tip off 7 pm at University of Reading SportsPark.

The next home game for the Div. 1 Men will be against Bradford Dragons tipping at the unusual time of 5.30 pm at Rivermead Leisure Complex on Saturday 3rd March.

After an exciting and competitive semi final last weekend at the John Madejski Academy Sports Centre against Westminster Warriors, when the Rockets came out on top 75 to 71, Rockets Under 18 Premier team have won through to the Final of the Sureshot Cup which will be played at the Amaechi Basketball Centre this coming Sunday (19th February) against Manchester Magic. A tremendous achievement for the team.

The wheelchair event and the junior games due to take place on Sunday at Rivermead are still going ahead.

Rockets Under 18s power their way to the Final

In a very exciting game this afternoon at the John Madejski Academy Sports Centre, Rockets Under 18 Premier team won their semi final in the SureShot cup, beating Westminster Warriors by 75 to 71. They now progress to the Final next weekend in Manchester. Luke Nelson topscored with 32 points, whilst Kalvin Anns scored 11 and Bradley Loxton scored 10 and took 13 rebounds.

Rockets lose out in Trophy semi

In a game peppered by interruptions from the officials (to the detriment of the flow of the game) and without Kastytis Normantas (out for 4 - 6 weeks), Rockets were valiant but Derby progressed to the final of the National Trophy, winning the semi final by 71 points to 53. Top scorers for Rockets were Robbie Parker 12, Ryan Lohfink 10 and Jon May 9.

Rockets looking for National Trophy final place - Normantas out for up to 6 weeks

Reading Rockets will be looking to reach their first national final of the 2011/2012 season on Saturday when they travel to the East Midlands to take on close rivals and current league leaders Derby Trailblazers in the National Trophy semi-final (7.30pm tip-off). The competition has been a very successful one in recent years for the Berkshire club as they have lifted the trophy four times in the last five seasons. This will be the fourth meeting between the two teams this term with the Trailblazers leading the series 2-1 having won both games away from their home floor when they defeated the Rockets 78-72 in the pool stage of the Trophy competition before most recently grabbing a one point victory at the Rivermead Leisure Complex in the league. Rockets victory came at Moorways back in November when they ran out winners by 81 points to 79 and the Berkshire team will be hoping that trend continues on Saturday as they go into the game off back to back wins in the league against Medway Park Crusaders and Tees Valley Mohawks which moved them back into play-off contention.

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