Blazers look to put double loss behind them in league and cup
DERBY Trailblazers have another double header weekend as they look to recover from last week’s sobering double defeat in NBL Division One.
This time they look both to get back on track in the league and progress in the National Cup, with visits to Loughborough Riders (today, 2pm) and Bradford Dragons (tomorrow, 4.15pm).
Loughborough sit one place behind Derby with a 2-5 record but come into the match off the back of a 99-60 mauling away to Team Solent Kestrels.
“Loughborough is always a really difficult game,” said head coach Matt Shaw.
“It’s a local derby for us and they have a really good set of young players, so it’s exciting to see how we can play and perform after last weekend’s disappointment.
“We’ll have to be at our best but I think, more than ever before, that’s the case against every team in the league – and perhaps more so against a team like Loughborough.”
Derby face Bradford for the third time this season as they aim to go further in the cup.
They won 94-50 at home in the L Lynch Trophy group stage and were 84-75 winners in the league at Bradford a month later.
But the Dragons are improving, as was evidenced when they picked up their first league win away to Essex Rebels last weekend.
“We know full well how difficult it can be against Bradford,” said Shaw.
“Having played them twice already and got two wins, sometimes that makes it harder to go and get that third win.
“We’ll be giving it our best shot but it’s another road trip and we seem to have so many away games, but we know if we win, the next round will be at home, so that’s a nice reward to aim for.”
Derby’s women are also in National Cup action tomorrow, as they travel to face Division One side Bristol Academy Flyers.
With Bristol currently 1-5 in the league, Kyle Henderson’s team must be wondering if they have a chance of an upset in the 2pm tip at WISE Campus in Bristol.
Meanwhile, the Division Three men give home supporters chance to get their fix tomorrow afternoon for a game against Worcester Wolves.
“They’re a great university set-up and they’re unbeaten but that means nothing to us as we know the league is very tough this season,” said coach Lee Fitchett.
“We’ve already had some great results ourselves and we’re looking to carry that on.
“We’ve had a couple of weeks’ practice leading up to the game and we’re definitely looking at making some noise this weekend.
“We’re excited to be back at home and looking forward to our supporters making some noise.”
Tip-off for that game is 4.15pm.