AFTER an encouraging start in only their second league game of the season and with a seven-point interval lead, it was a disastrous third quarter that sealed Reading Rockets’ fate as they lost 90-78 to Derby Trailblazers.

Rockets began well, with American Craig Ponder particularly influential as he created plenty and finished with a variety of skills from finger rolls, drives, pull-up jump shots and floaters.

A 21-15 lead reflected the opening period and with the introduction of Juan Valerio – who hit three quick trebles – Rockets enjoyed a 41-28 advantage before an 8-2 run by Trailblazers made the interval score 43-36 as Josh Ward Hibbert announced his arrival on the game with nine points.

Danny Carter and Joel Keeble (pictured) scored early to extend Rockets lead to double figures, but with quality plays and excellent finishing Derby soon levelled the game at 46-46 before hitting a treble and a lay-up to complete a 15-3 run with Ward Hibbert having scored 11 of those points. Ponder was called for a fourth foul as he tried to stop a certain Derby score, and Trailblazers capitalised to take the quarter 30-12 with Ward Hibbert hitting 16 of them.

A fine wide Joel Keeble treble kept Rockets in touch but trailing 66-55 after the third quarter, the final stanza needed something special from the hosts.

And although they fought tenaciously, with the opening five points reducing the deficit to just six and even drawing level at 70-70, a final run of 20-8 by Trailblazers saw them journey back to the Midlands with a deserved win.

Top scorers for Rockets were Ponder with 29 points, fellow American Chris Hooper with 18, and Juan Valerio with 11 points.

Rockets do not have a game this week as their Academy players depart for 14 days in Spain on an Erasmus culture, educational and elite sport-based project before travelling to Hemel Storm in the National Cup on Sunday, October 30.

Rockets reached the fourth round by beating Cardiff City 91-67 last Thursday.