It’s another double-header weekend for Worthing Thunder, as they welcome Reading Rockets on Sunday evening at the Leisure Centre. But first, they must travel to Willesden on Saturday night, as they face bottom of the table PAWS London Capital.
Worthing though are still unsure if head coach Gary Smith will take charge this weekend, he was taken ill last week leaving assistant coach James Brame to step in. The Thunder veteran was victorious as his side disposed of Tees Valley Mohawks and Medway Park Crusaders.
Brame has led training this week in Smith’s absence and has fully prepared the team for this weekend’s matches, but admittedly goes into Saturday‘s clash with PAWS London Capital not knowing much about them: “London are a scrappy team, all their players are young, athletic and hungry but in honesty, we have no clue who we are facing because they have a roster of about 30-40 people,” Brame said.
“It will be hard for us on that front, we have to prepare for what ever they bring and at the end of the day, be professional and go out there to win”.
The Thunder captain is well aware that Capital have not won a league game this season and are rooted to the bottom of the EBL Division One table, but is still not taking them lightly.
“They are a group of hungry and talented players at Capital, an for me, their position in the table doesn’t mean anything, it will still be a tough game and we have to be consistent and professional when we step onto the court,” Brame explained.
Worthing then welcome old rivals Reading Rockets to the Worthing Leisure Centre on Sunday evening as the double-header comes to an end.
“Reading’s philosophy doesn’t change, they are a well-drilled, well coached and very disciplined side,” Brame said. “They are one of the hardest sides to play against when you’re behind, if not the hardest. So we can not afford to let our guard down, we have to play and keep our focus throughout otherwise Reading will punish us.”
The visit of Reading Rockets will see a familiar face return as Luke Nelson, the son of Thunder legend Steve Nelson and a product of the Worthing junior set-up will face the senior team for the first time.
Tip-off at the Capital City Academy is at 6.00pm, and Sunday’s clash at home to Reading tips at 5.00pm.
