READING Rockets (14-7) will be aiming to extend their six-game winning streak when they host NBL Division One favourites Team Solent Kestrels (17-3) at Bohunt School on Saturday (5pm tip-off).

Last weekend they boosted their chances of a top-four finish by winning 105-102 in overtime at Leicester Warriors before beating Derby Trailblazers 109-87 at home.

Head coach Manuel Peña Garcés commented: “We showed good character, discipline, and application to get two crucial wins.”

Delays due to a motorway accident saw Rockets arrive at Leicester on Saturday just 45 minutes before the scheduled start.

They lost the opening quarter 25-24 with Tim Gill contributing 14 of their points, and were 50-42 behind at the half-way stage.

But Rockets came out firing on all cylinders for the third quarter with Scotty Hendricks and Declan Soukup hitting a brace of trebles before Danny Carter and Ed Potter brought the scores level at 69 apiece.

Reading fell behind again, but only narrowly. With less than 31 seconds remaining, they trailed 84-86, but Soukup hit a great treble from the top of the key to give them a single-point lead.

Carter scored from the penalty stripe, only for Leicester’s outstanding player, Carl Pearson, to bank a treble and take the game to overtime at 90-90.

They were still locked together at 99-99 and then 102-102 before Hendricks was fouled, giving him the opportunity for three throws from the line which he didn’t miss.

He finished his side’s top scorer with 29 points, followed by Carter with 26, Tim Gill 20, Soukup 15 and Donaldson 11.

Reading went on to complete a double over clubs from the Midlands by defeating Derby 109 -87 at Rivermead on Sunday.

They never looked back after storming into a 34-17 lead and extended that to 61-46 by the break with Trailblazers ending the second period with four straight trebles.

The visitors started the third with a 7-0 run. but by the end of the period Rockets led 85-68. And they took the final stanza 24-19 to reach three figures for the second day running.

Hendricks again finished the top scorer with 26 points. Three behind him was Donaldson, followed by Tim Gill with 17 and Jonny Foulds 11.

So Reading are certainly in good form as they prepare to take on the champions-elect, Solent, this weekend.

The two teams have met three times this season with Rockets still looking for their first win following defeats in the league, National Cup and National Trophy, which Solent went on to win.

Rockets will give a late fitness test to forward Alex Drincic, who returned to training this week after being sidelined with tendinitis in his foot. Adrian Nosa Castillo is still nursing an ankle injury and it’s likely the 6ft 4in forward will miss out, while fellow. Spaniard Iñigo Perez Baena is recovering from a surgery on his broken nose.

Looking ahead to Saturday’s game, Peña Garcés said: “We know it will be a very hard-fought encounter.

"Team Solent have strength and depth in every position, but in our last game against them we did a much better job and I believe that, along with our improved performances, we have a great chance of securing another win.

“It is going to be tough and it should be really exciting.”