As one of England's top four Under 18 squads, the Reading Rockets headed to RAF Cosford last weekend to battle out the final placings. The RAF were celebrating the 10th anniversary of sponsoring junior basketball in this country and all 4 teams put on a superb spectacle for their supporters. Rockets had been well prepared for these games by their coaches and faced Derby Trailblazers in their semi final, strong contenders with 3 international players and the eventual winners of the Final Fours.

The Rockets worked hard and despite one brief spell in front succumbed 87 - 75. Solent Kestrels meanwhile played Hackney White Heat with the latter going through to the final, leaving Rockets to face old rivals Solent for the 3rd - 4th play off spot. The game saw both teams taking the lead at different intervals, by just a few points - real edge of the seat stuff. With just 5 seconds to go, Solent took the lead with two points and their supporters cheered seeing the medal in their grasp. However quick play by Thoseby, inbounding to Moros who dribbled and quickly passed to Sayers on the three point line changed everything - up went the ball and Rockets had won by one point, with the final score 89 - 88.

The squad were Dan Marton, Alvin Moros, Dan Headland, Louis Sayers, Steve Vaughan, Adam Thoseby, Luke Rogers, Harrison Gamble, Jordan Gillhesby-Edison, Filip Lekovic and Abdul Ahmed, skilfully coached by Head Coach, Matt Johnson, ably assisted by JP Campbell and Ben Fisher