Reading Rockets (11-7) will look to keep their winning streak alive this weekend as they welcome play-off chasing Kent Crusaders (8-10) to Reading on Saturday evening (5pm) at Bohunt School.

Rockets claimed a 69-68 win at title contenders Loughborough Student Riders (13-4) last Sunday to claim their third victory on the bounce with two of those success coming against top-four teams in NBL Division One.

This weekend’s opponents have recorded back-to-back wins to keep in touch with the top eight, recording wins against Leicester Warriors and Lancashire Spinners. The two teams have met in the league already this season with Reading winning 83-72.

Rockets head coach Manuel Peña Garcés was pleased his team recorded a positive result against one of the in-form teams in the league last weekend, but was not overly satisfied with the performance. The Spaniard knows his team will need to be better against what he calls a young, energetic team this coming weekend.

He said: “It was really important for us to get the win and we are really pleased we managed to do this, but we know the performance could have been better and it is important to review and reflect on this to be ready the next time we compete. We have made significant improvements in the last month and I am really happy with how the players have responded to the challenges, so now we just need to re-align slightly and get back on track ahead of this weekend.”

He continued: “Kent have competed well in the league so far this season and are on the edge of the play-off positions, so will be wanting to win as many games as possible heading into the final part of the regular season.

“They are a young and well-coached team and we know Lloyd (Gardner, Kent Crusaders head coach) will have them ready to play against us, especially having played a close game back in November.

“However, I am confident in this group of players and with one or two adjustments this week we will be ready to face what is thrown at us and give our best on game day.”

Rockets go into Saturday’s game with the return of Ed Potter, who was absent from last weekend’s win against Loughborough.

The 22-year-old comes back into the fray after a week out and is sure to be in action having made good contributions in recent games.

Peña Garcés should also have the services of Under 18 duo Adrian Nosa Castillo and Iñigo Perez Baena again, although the latter faces a late fitness test due to a suspected broken nose.

With six games of the regular season remaining, the Berkshire outfit will be hoping to continue their climb up the table with a top-four finish still viable and a home tie in the play-off quarter final.