By Dave Ryan 

 

Reading Rockets will be aiming to avenge their league defeat against Bristol Academy Flyers three weeks ago when the teams meet at Rivermead on Saturday. The meeting in the West Country saw the Big Tall Order Flyers win a thriller 71-70 to record their first ever victory against Rockets.

 

The teams were tied at 62 going into the final five minutes, but new Rockets' player Femmy Falmagne scored three from four from the line before a Louis Sayers three saw Rockets six points up with two minutes to go.

 

A 50 percent conversion from the penalty stripe and a Bristol three saw Rockets' lead dwindle to two points with 87 seconds remaining. Some tough defence from both sides enabled Reading to hold this lead until nine and half seconds from time when Bristol captain Greg Streete was fouled. 

 

He only converted one but took the offensive rebound and was fouled again. He hit both free throws giving Flyers a 1-point advantage, leaving Rockets with the last possession and 7.7 seconds left. With 1.7 seconds remaining, Reading had a shot to win the game but it just rimmed out, leaving Bristol to celebrate their second league win of the season.

 

Doug McLaughlin-Williams and Streete each hit 21 for the Flyers with Loftman adding 11. Rockets had five players in double figures with Ryan Lohfink (15), Dan McKay (13), Louis Sayers (12) and Parker and Falmagne on 11 apiece.

 

Rockets assistant coach Matt Johnson believes that loss will be considerable motivation with a semi-final place up for grabs.

 

He said, "Not that the players need any motivation for this game, but suffering that one point loss in Bristol is a thorn in our side and something we definitely want to put right this time around, especially as a national semi-final place is up for grabs."

 

Both teams had a bye in the first round and recorded double digit home wins in the round two with Rockets defeating Portsmouth City Smugglers 67-55 and Flyers hammering Plymouth Marjon 90-61. In the third round Flyers won a thriller 81-79 against local rivals Taunton Tigers while Rockets outlasted Medway Park Crusaders 81-73 to progress to the last eight.

 

Rockets head coach Sasa Punosevac is ready for a difficult weekend, with Rockets also facing Taunton Tigers on Saturday:

 

"We play two tough games this weekend which will be a really good test for us. Sunday's game is extra special in that it is a winner-takes-all game and we must perform to a high standard in order to advance in the competition.

 

"Under all the circumstances, the guys have done a good job since I have arrived and I am sure there is more to come from this group of players which does excite me and my coaching staff."

 

Flyers coach Andreas Kapoulas is expecting a tough test when his club arrive at Rivermead:

 

"Reading have not necessarily had the best of starts especially when you compare them to previous year. However I think they are always a dangerous opponent and they if you look at their results, you can tell that they are on the way up. They have a number of experienced players such as Lohfink, Parker, May, McKay and also some young talent such as the Sayers brothers. Sasa is doing a great job with them so I am expecting a really tough game.

 

"We will need to produce a consistent 40 minute performance for us to progress to the Cup semi-finals. All our guys are looking forward to it as we have not had a chance to be in a semi final of any competition since our first year in Division One a couple of years ago, when we reached the playoffs final four. We are all hungry for it and despite our away game to London the day before, we are going to give our everything to go through to the semi-final."

 

Kapoulas is pleased with how his roster is shaping up:

 

"We have a great group of competitive guys and the longer we are together, the better we get.

 

"We still have a few injury problems that have not allowed us yet to put out our full roster. I think everyone has been looking at our roster and saying how good we will be and a lot of people were surprised of the margin we lost to Manchester. We just need time. The season is not a sprint, it's a marathon. The players are working hard and with that attitude we will keep on improving."

 

Prior to this season's game, the two teams had met on seven occasions since Flyers gained promotion to the top flight in the summer of 2007 and Rockets have ran out winners each time.

 

All four of the Rockets' victories against Flyers were by double digits last season. The teams met in the league just before Christmas and visitors Reading romped to a 91-60 victory with a strong second half. The return came three weeks later and saw Rockets produce a a fine second period to wrap up an 85-49 win against a Flyers side missing imports Brody Bishop and John Grazioli.

 

The other two encounters last season both came in the National Trophy with Reading taking double digit wins on both occasions.