READING Rockets (11-3) will be looking to extend their 10-game winning streak when they entertain the NBL Division One basement boys Westminster Warriors (0-14) at Rivermead Leisure Complex on Saturday evening (6pm).

Rockets chalked up their 10th consecutive victory with an 89-74 victory by beating visitors Essex Leopards on Sunday, mainly thanks largely to Chris Hooper’s 40 points, 23 rebounds double double.

The Reading outfit have moved up to second place in the table alongside Manchester Magic and are hoping to keep the pressure on league leaders Team Northumbria (13-3) with a success against the winless Warriors.

Rockets head coach Manuel Peña Garcés was pleased to see his team overcome a difficult test against Essex and despite this Saturday’s opponents having not recorded a win yet, the Spanish play-caller is erring on the side of caution as his side have had some difficult games with the Warriors in recent years.

He said: “Last Sunday’s was an important one for us. I think Essex are a really dangerous team and without Mike Martin it was difficult to know how they were going to play but credit to my team. Despite an early deficit, they worked really hard together to get another important win.

“Chris Hooper’s performance was outstanding, but all of the players are doing what we need them to do at the moment and I think that has been key to the run we are on.

“It is really important that in this time there is no complacency, but plenty of humility and we keep working hard to get better every time we step onto the floor.”

Turning his attentions to this Saturday’s encounter, he continued: “This weekend’s game against Westminster is a tricky one. In previous seasons we have always found them difficult to overcome. A team is always the most dangerous when they are really fighting against the odds so it’s crucial to respect and prepare as we do every game and work hard to get what we feel should be another win.”

Rockets go into the contest with the news shooting guard Joel Keeble has had surgery on a fractured wrist.

The 21-year-old has been out of action for three weeks and will miss a similar amount of time after he underwent surgery on Tuesday.

Hooper showed no ill effects of his recent back injury with his mammoth double double against Essex and despite his American counterpart being laid up in bed this week through illness, point guard Craig Ponder played a crucial part in last Sunday’s win and should be fully fit for the visit of Westminster.