READING Rockets completed a tough run of three matches in eight days with one win and a defeat to go sixth in the National League Division One table.

The Rockets recorded a 93-73 win against Leicester Warriors in Reading on Saturday, but were beaten 92-83 at Kent Crusaders in the National Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.

Reading took a 33-11 lead against Leicester and were comfortably in charge of the game at 57-32 by the interval. The played some of the best basketball seen in the town for many years, giving the appreciative supporters much excitement.

Leicester came out for the third period with nothing to lose. They played much better and gave the hosts more competition, cutting the deficit to 74-55.

A steadier approach was needed from the Rockets in the final stanza and, despite some banter and unpleasantness, they edged it 19-18 to secure a fine victory.

New signing Elvisi Dusha was introduced on to the court late in the first quarter and showed what he can add to the squad with six assists and a pair of steals to go with his 17 points.

Craig Ponder was again the architect for Reading as he made four steals, five assists and a brace of trebles in his personal tally of 20 points.

Ali Sbai had his best all round game since graduating to the seniors through Rockets Academy, whilst captain Danny Carter had a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds. The Rockets’ other big man, Chris Hooper, took down 12 rebounds.

Kent Crusaders’ head coach is ex-Rocket Lloyd Gardner but his team did anything but cruise through a tough National Cup quarter-final on Sunday.

The outstanding Kent side blitzed the opening exchanges 29-17 as a weary Reading tried to recover from the long and arduous journey due to an accident on the M25.

The Crusaders took a 57-40 lead into the half-time interval despite trebles from Rockets’ 18-year-old Ibu Demba Jassey, Ponder, Dusha and two from captain Carter.

Reading then worked hard to get back into the game and caused Kent to call an early time-out with Rockets in the ascendancy and just seven points adrift.

Back-to-back trebles from Juan Valerio saw the visitors go into the final period just 69-61 behind.

A freshly-energised Reading took to the court for the final stanza and they were just three points down with a little over six minutes left.

Hooper scored twice to move the Rockets ever closer at 81-79 with two minutes remaining, but the away team then turned over the ball and missed a couple of shots as Kent saw out the game.

It was a tough loss but to a well disciplined and talented Crusaders team.

The top scorers for Reading were Hooper with 23 points, Ponder (18), Carter (17) and Valerio (10).

Reading Rockets return to league action at home to Lancashire Spinners at Bohunt School this Sunday (5pm tip-off).

The Rockets begin December with consecutive away matches at Worthing Thunder on Saturday December 3 (7.30pm) and then high-flying Loughborough Student Riders a day later (2pm).