Durham Wildcats v's Manchester Magic
Sunday November – tip-off 3.00pm, Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre

 

Durham Wildcats will be looking to upset the formbook when they entertain Manchester Magic in the National Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.

 

The Wildcats go into the game with a perfect 11-0 record this season, and are currently top of Division Two in their debut season at that level. Meanwhile, Magic are also unbeaten this season, with Saturday's 69-68 victory at title rivals Derby Trailblazers being their tenth straight victory.

 

Wildcats coach Dave Elderkin is excited about seeing his team come up against arguably the top side in the England Basketball League:

 

"As a club we aspire to be the best we can be," he said, "And what better way can there be to measure our progress than to match up against the best?

 

"Manchester have an excellent coach, in Jeff Jones, with two of the top guards in the league, Stefan Gill and Brandon Kimbrough and one of the most productive 'big men' in David 'Tin Tin' Watts.

 

"I imagine that nobody will give us much of a chance against the favourites for multiple honours this season, but then nobody gave us a prayer against Leeds Carnegie either and they're now one of Manchester's main challengers in Division One!

 

"We have a few quality players of our own, and if we concentrate on what we do well, I'm confident that we can give the fans a thoroughly entertaining afternoon's quality basketball."

 

Magic coach Jeff Jones isn't taking anything for granted as his side face the second division club:

 

"Sunday will be another tough test for us; they have had a great run of results and have the win against Leeds in the bank.

 

"They will be approaching the game as their cup final and we have to do the same we have a pretty good record in the cup over the years, and we want to keep that going.

 

"If we concentrate and execute to our capabilities I like our chances to progress, but that could be a big IF."

 

Wildcats reached this stage of the competition with a 93-57 home hammering of Huddersfield Heat in the first round before knocking out last season's semi-finalists - and Division One newcomers - Leeds Carnegie with a 77-68 victory at home. Dave Elderkin's team made the short trip to Team Northumbria for their third round tie and a dominant performance saw them romp to a 96-52 win in a game that was effectively over at half-time.

 

Magic were runners-up to the all-conquering Reading Rockets side last season having won the Cup in 2007 and 2008 and having won 16 of their last 17 games in the competition.

 

Jeff Jones' side have strolled through their opening games in this season's competition, winning 102-47 against Liverpool and 92-58 against Stockport Falcons, with both games being played at the Amaechi Centre.

 

 

Nov 29 2009	Durham Wildcats	v	Manchester Magic	Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre
3.00pm
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