READING Rockets will aim to reach the National Trophy final when they welcome Team Northumbria to the Rivermead Leisure Complex on Sunday (5pm).

Manuel Pena Garces’s men beat Lancashire Spinners to set up the semi-final, although Rockets have already been beaten 76-73 by their opponents in NBL Division One earlier this season.

However, Reading go into the contest following a double-winning weekend in the league.

They defeated Leicester Warriors (69-66) and Tees Valley Mohawks (67-62) at Rivermead, but head coach Peña Garcés was far from happy with the performances.

The Spaniard said: “I am happy we managed to get two more wins and remain in the top four, but we still have a lot of improvements to make to really maximise our potential and compete with the very best.

“We have been working very hard in training and we are seeing improvements but we need more of this, none more so ahead of this weekend.

“I believe in my players and I am confident we will be up to the task this Sunday and we are all really excited about a potential final.”

Looking ahead to the game with Team Northumbria, Pena Garces admitted: “They are a well-coached team with some really good talent.

“Our league game against them was a real battle and we were very close to winning but they are able to make some big plays with the personnel they have.

“They play an up-tempo game and have a lot of perimeter threats so it’s crucial we match these and exploit any weaknesses they have.

“Focusing on ourselves will be the key and playing for 40 minutes at both ends will give us a big opportunity to reach the final.”

Rockets go into the semi final sweating on the fitness of American point guard Antonio Robinson.

The 23-year-old was injured against Tees Valley when he fell to the ground under contact from a rebound and suffered head, neck, arm and knee injuries.

After consultation at Royal Berkshire Hospital, Robinson was given the all-clear from any possible concussion, but he will receive treatment from the physio team for the injury to his knee and it will be a game-time decision ahead of Sunday’s last-four encounter.

Captain Danny Carter will also be on the physio table as sore knees hampered the 26-year-old during the Mohawks win, although the forward will be available for the semi final.

The Berkshire outfit will be hoping a bout of flu in the camp passes quickly as the Rockets look to make the National Trophy final for the sixth time in their history.