Rivermead Leisure Complex, Sunday 15^th November 2009

Reading Rockets 81 Medway Park Crusaders 73

Rockets finished a tough double header weekend with a much improved performance and a deserved win at Rivermead.

Rockets shot out of the blocks, clearly on a mission to progress to the quarter final stage of the National Cup, a trophy which they are seeking to retain. Though Medway scored with a tip in off the first possession, this was to be their only lead which they held for just 10 seconds. A much more determined approach with clinical finishing including 3 3-pointers in the first 3 minutes saw Rockets quickly open up a 10-point lead. From this established position Coach was able to introduce the younger players from as early as the sixth minute, when Adam Thoseby and Louis Sayers took over from the dominant Simon Kearney and Robbie Parker who'd scored 10 and 7 points respectively out of Rockets' 23 – 13 lead. A Jason Sayers three from the top of the key saw Rockets take a 30 – 19 advantage into the first break.

Jason Sayers continued his sharp three point shooting as the opening score of the second period, but the highlight was a huge leap by Thoseby, high above everyone else, to claim the offensive boards from which he proceeded to score, lifting the Rockets' supporters out of their seats. Harrison Gamble came onto the floor and immediately took a tough defensive rebound, then an offensive rebound, all before he scored, made a steal and released Dan McKay to increase Rockets' lead. The half finished with an electric fast break by Rockets which saw Parker drive hard to the basket before throwing a pass to Louis Sayers who scored and gained a bonus point from the free throw line.

With a 48% field goal converted percentage coupled to a 45% 3 point equivalent statistically, Rockets were so vastly improved. With the players more confident and Coach Sasa giving all this 17 year olds plenty of court time, Rockets assumed the command that they should have over a Division two side though Medway are a very good team and in fact ended the game strongly and had the game's top scorer in 6'9" American Smith with 30 points.

McKay hit a buzzer beating two and Kearney drove for a tough score before Jason Sayers hit the third of his three-point shots. Medway were now hitting some threes as well, as the high tempo and quality of the game was maintained. Jason Sayers finished the game with a flurry of points and a block whilst Lohfink took a charge before McKay, Kearney and Lukas Aleksandravicius converted from the penalty stripe to secure Rockets' well-deserved victory.

Top scorers for Rockets were Simon Kearney 19 points, Jason Sayers 16 (with 12 rebounds) and Ryan Lohfink 13 points (with 6 rebounds) though this was a very good team performance.