Rockets tame Dragons with resounding win
READING bounced straight back from defeat to Manchester with a resounding victory over Bradford Dragons at Rivermead.
With the top of the table already so tight, Rockets could ill-afford another defeat and they produced a fine second half display to comfortably see off Bradford 95-74 and move to a 4-1 record.
Sydney Donaldson and Tim
Gill were the biggest scorers on the night with 22 and 21 points respectively and head coach Manuel Pena Garces was happy with his side’s display.
“I was pleased with our performance against Bradford in many parts of the game and that enabled us to get back to winning ways,” said the Spaniard.
“In other parts of our game it highlighted the need for us to continue to work in areas of the game we need to be better at and this is what we will continue to do.
“Our focus remains at the defensive end and making sure we are not allowing teams to get comfortable playing against us.”
Scotty Hendricks got Reading off to a flying start on Sunday evening with a treble before Gill once again dominated the boards.
A 7-0 run from Dragons led Pena Garces to taking a time-out during the first quarter and they regrouped to lead 25-18 going into the second.
But back came Bradford with another 7-0 run before Reading improved defensively following their leaky display at Manchester to ensure they took a narrow 42-38 lead into the break.
And it was the third quarter which proved decisive as Joel Keeble’s treble set the hosts on their way to a 14-2 run which opened up a healthy 65-51 advantage ahead of the final quarter.
Ali Sbai’s early fourth stanza slam dunk followed by successive trebles pushed Reading further clear as they turned on the style before closing out the 95-74 win.
Attention now turns to this weekend’s away double-header with a league trip to Derby Trailblazers (2-3) on Saturday before visiting Team Solent Kestrels in the National Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.
“This weekend will be another great test for us,” said Pena Garces.
“Derby is always a tough place to go and although they are still building for their season, they pose some threats we must negate if we are to go there and win.
“Then we will turn our attention to Sunday’s knockout game against Solent.
“For us, they have been a tricky team to play against but the experience we do have is one of learning and how we must be better against a strong group who have started the season very well.
“I feel we will be ready for a tough battle.”
Rockets top scorers v Bradford: Donaldson 22 points, Gill 21, Hendricks 15.