Sat 31st October
Reading Rockets 80 v London Leopards 66
With a much improved team performance Rockets maintained their interest in the National Trophy with a crucial win against local rivals London Leopards at Rivermead on Saturday night. Knowing nothing other than a twelve point victory would give Rockets a chance of reaching the quarter finals of a competition they have won for the last three years, seemed to bring out the best competitive attitude of the season to date.
Clearly Rockets new Head Coach, Sasa Punosevac, is reshaping and refocusing this new squad and with Jon May hoping to return very soon coupled to Rockets two new signings complementing the squad, the impetus is very positive. Even with his broken cheekbone, Jon wanted to play a part but his protective mask was rejected by the officials. The Belgian new signing, Fenny Falmagne, was asked to sit out this game by Rockets physio, Jess Pascall, to give his ankle more recovery time before the demands of the season test it. Rockets new American, Banks Estridge, has been granted his work permit so awaits his visa before flying in to bolster the squad.
Leopards opened the scoring but Rockets had a four point lead before a 9-0 run by Leopards saw them in the ascendancy at 15-10. A great Ryan Lohfink spin move, a Robbie Parker three, a Jamie Ashwin dunk and a Simon Kearney three were the highlights of the first quarter but with Leopards hundred per cent from the line, the ten from ten was the principal difference as Leopards led 24-17.
After a slow start where Leopards increased their advantage to eleven points, the second period saw Rockets begin to impose themselves. Confidence grew with Rockets captain Lohfink leading the way in effort, performance and finishing as he amassed thirteen personal points and demonstrated new parts of his game with drives and sweet three pointers added to his hard work inside. Ashwin and Kearney added a couple of points apiece as Rockets won the quarter 17-13, though still three points adrift at 34-37 at the interval.
After a half time pep talk centred on reducing mistakes, Rockets came alive with a resounding twenty one points to seven period. A Parker hustle, a Dan McKay drive and four quick Lohfink points saw Rockets three points up. When 6’10" Jason Sayers made a great steal and then took six big strides to get to the basket and score, Rockets had gone on an eight points to nil run. However Leopards came back with a dunk and ninety percent from the line but Rockets were now in a different gear. Some superb team work, creative plays and penetrative passes saw Rockets re-open a nine point lead as the third quarter was drawing to a close, and much to the Rockets supporters delight, Parker used the time and possession well to further increase Rockets lead to double figures as he hit a jump shot tying the head to head points, as Rockets led 55-44.
With Rockets exit assured if they didn’t secure a twelve point victory, the final period was a little more tense as Leopards cut the deficit to just six points and again hit nine out of nine from the free throw line. However Rockets drew again on their reserves and stepped up the pressure and performance to take the game to a hugely crucial end game scenario. With just twenty seconds on the clock, the most influential player on the court took it upon himself to attempt a long three point shot from the top of the key. As the ball dropped through the net, the Rockets supporters acclaimed their heroes as Rockets won 80-66 to maintain their interest in the National Trophy.
Rockets top scorers were Ryan Lohfink 37, Jason Sayers 11 and Robbie Parker 11
