READING Rockets will hope to continue their good start to 2016 when they play a double-header this weekend, writes Richard Ashton.

Manuel Pena Garces’s side travel to second-placed Derby Trailblazers in NBL Division One this Saturday (7.15pm), before welcoming Worthing Thunder to the Rivermead Leisure Complex on Sunday (5pm).

Rockets picked up a solid 88-71 victory against Bradford Dragons in the league on Saturday – inspired by a 34-point haul from recent signing Ben Allison – before reaching the semi-finals of the National Trophy with a fantastic 80-71 win at Lancashire Spinners.

And Pena Garces (pictured right) said: “I am really happy with last weekend’s performances and the way we went about our two wins was really important. In both games we were more disciplined, played intense basketball for longer periods, and made some big plays when we needed to.

“This is a really good step for us but there is still a lot of work to do and this week despite three games we will be working hard and improving our level.”

He continued: “The weekend’s game at Derby will be one of the most difficult games of the season.

“They have done really well so far and have arguably two of the best players in the league in the Watts brothers (David and Dan) but also have a lot of good personnel around them, so we are expecting that to be tough as well as Sunday’s game against Worthing as they have already beaten us twice.

“However, I am pleased with the steps we have taken and I know with continued work and discipline, this group can achieve good things but it’s very important that we take it game by game, especially this week.”