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.
In speaking about the season-ending injury to Normantas, Rockets Chairman Gary Johnson could not hide his disappointment upon the news the Lithuanian would be out of action for the rest of the campaign. He said, "We have had a very difficult season with injuries so for Kas to be ruled out for the rest of this one is hugely disappointing and leaves a bit of a hole for us as we enter the latter stages of the year. Having already lost Tryston (Lawrence) and various others to injury and illness it has been tough to gain any momentum but what I must say is that I have been immensely proud of our younger players and the core group that we have and I believe we are still in a great position heading into our remaining league games and of course the play-offs. Despite the frustrations the injuries have caused it has certainly built some resolve in our team and I think this will stand us in good stead for the rest of the season."
After last weekend's comprehensive away win at Westminster Warriors where the Rockets ran out comfortable winners by 89 points to 62, the Berkshire club are not in competitive action this weekend and will rest as they prepare for their final ten league games of the campaign which starts in ten days time with the visit of Bradford Dragons on Saturday 3rd March. Rockets Head Coach Samit Nuruzade was pleased with his team's improved performance against Westminster, and will use this weekend's break to rest his players as well as prepare for the last stint of the season. He said, "We did much better against the Warriors in terms of performance and I felt we controlled the game for long periods which is something we have been working on. Ryan (Lohfink) put in another excellent evening's work and he has really led our younger players by example so far this year. It has been disappointing to lose Kas for the season, and with Jonny (Jon May) struggling with various injuries, we will use this weekend to rest up and be in the best shape possible as we tackle the last ten games of the regular season. I think we still have a great chance in the post season and we will be doing everything we can to get ourselves up the league table, but most importantly put in good, consistent performances that could enable us to beat any team on any given day. It is definitely an exciting time ahead and collectively we are looking forward to the run in."
Elsewhere, the Rockets Division Four Men's and Division Two Women's team's both recorded wins last weekend to push themselves up their respective league tables, however, it was not to be for the club's Under 18 team as they were beaten in the Sureshot Cup Final by Manchester Magic despite 25 points personal from Durrell Charles. The junior premier team were always chasing the game and eventually lost out to the Northern outfit by 77 points to 57, however, they are in contention for the league title and Head Coach JP Campbell hopes the cup run will provide a platform for their remaining league games. He said, "We did a great job of getting to the cup final but we were ultimately beaten by the better team on the day. I think it will turn out to be a valuable lesson for us as we head into our last league games and going into the play-offs and if we keep the level of intensity up in practice that we continually demand, then we have a very good chance of achieving something this year."
