READING Rockets Ladies have thanked the Reading Chronicle after an appeal launched by the newspaper helped them secure transport for their National Championship play-off final on Sunday.

The team was struggling to raise funds to pay for an overnight stay in Manchester this Saturday ahead of their final against Southwark Pride at 11am the following morning.

The early tip-off would have prevented Josh Thorne’s team – the first from Reading to make a national final - from travelling on the same day.

And as they receive no funding from Basketball England, the players would have been forced to delve into their own pockets and fund the trip themselves.

Rockets Ladies contacted the Chronicle in a bid to help them raise the £500 needed to pay for the journey, and after the plea was shared online, two donations of £250 each were made on Monday evening.

Reading Rockets Ladies player Stephanie Johnson said: "I just want to say a huge thank you to the Reading Chronicle for their support and coverage for our senior women.

"At 10.30pm last night, two people donated £250 each which has now covered our travel costs to the final.

”The kindness and support from these individuals have been gratefully received by the team and has made our preparations for the final the best it can be.

"We have some amazing people within our sport and we would like to thank them and the community for their continued support of the team and club.

"One of the individuals that donated money told me 'All I want in return for the sponsorship is for the team to play with freedom, a smile, and enjoy the day.'

"We absolutely will. Thank you once again. We hope to be able to bring back a good news story on Sunday night."

Despite the transport fees being covered, Rockets chairman Gary Johnson believes the difficulties faced by the women’s team highlights a general lack of support for the sport.

“It’s ridiculous that Basketball England don’t accommodate or pay for the Saturday night rooms,” he declared.

“As the ladies tip-off is 11am, they would need to leave Reading at 5am, then play the final.

“Needless to say, I have expressed my thoughts, but to no avail.”