READING ROCKETS Under-18 Ladies edged past Charwood College Riders to lift the National Cup.
Racing into a 46-27 half-time lead, Blai Benlloch’s Rockets were pegged back after the restart but eventually got over the line to win 65-60 in Essex.
Anabel Latorre Ciria was named MVP after her 17-point haul and 12 rebounds while Carmen Segura Moreno (17pts) and Noa Sanchez Marques (16pts) also made big contributions.
There was no such joy for the Rockets Junior Men, who lost 73-71 to Haringey Hawks.
The scores were level until Haringey stole victory from Ben Fisher’s U18s, who had battled back from a 33-39 deficit to level at 59-59 going into the final period.
Haringey got their noses back in front at the death before a buzzer-beating treble attempt from Sam Grant came back off the ring for Rockets.
Grant finished as Reading’s top scorer with 24 points while Ross Stepney contributed 17.
The Ladies senior team were well beaten in their cup final, losing 81-54 against Loughborough Riders.
With many of the side made up by the U18s who defeated Charwood the previous day, Rockets struggled throughout and were well beaten.
The senior men will be looking to book a cup final spot themselves this weekend.
Reading Rockets will battle Loughborough Riders for a spot in the National Trophy on Sunday.
With Rivermead unavailable, the two sides will face off at the John Madejski Academy, starting at 5.30pm.
Rockets topped their National Trophy pool following victories over Thames Valley Cavaliers and Hemel Storm whilst Riders saw off Leicester Warriors and Nottingham Wildcats to reach this stage.
And Reading head coach Alan Keane is expecting a physical encounter against a side who last weekend clinched the National Cup with victory over NBL Division One leaders Team Solent Kestrels.
“Loughborough really showed their true class during Sunday’s final so they will be a tough opponent for us this weekend,” said Keane.
“I had a good chance to look at them so I am hoping with great preparation as well as committing to everything we have been doing, we can be ready to compete with them for 40 minutes.
“We have been making steady progressions this season and I like where we are at right now because there is a lot more to come from the group and there really isn’t any barriers stopping us this weekend.
“I am really looking forward to seeing what we can do against the Riders on Sunday.”
Rockets will be seeking to book their spot in the Trophy final for the seventh time in their 21-year history, having won it five times.
Ronan O’Sullivan (wrist) and Danny Carter (ankle) are both expected to be fit for the contest.
