READING ROCKETS made progress to the next round after they got the better of Cardiff Met Archers by eight points.
Though maintaining a double digit advantage for most of this game, it remained a tense affair as Archers’ outstanding American David Flaherty hit a magnificent 49 points, took down eight rebounds and made three steals.
He helped to keep Rockets honest and Archers in with a chance of snatching victory with his 100% free throw success rate and 50% from beyond the arc.
Lewis Champion led Rockets into an early lead as he personally scored 10 points quickly including a brace of trebles, helping Head Coach Samit Nuruzade not worry about his depleted squad due to injury.
Troy Cracknell was everywhere again whilst Reis Pinnock was his usual excellent defender, stopping Archers charges as Rockets took the opening exchange 24-19.
Archers flew out of their quiver with a 6-0 run to take the lead 25-24 but Jordan Jackson imposed his 6’10” inside whilst Cracknell and Champion continued their influence giving the hosts a 45-35 interval lead.
However the Archers, after a 15 minute break stormed out with a 8-0 run to get within a couple of points of Rockets , showing their determination to stay close and try for the upset result.
An excellent top of the key treble from Cracknell eased Rockets worries with Champion giving more than able support to the young American as Rockets held an 8 point advantage at 71-63 going into the final quarter.
The experienced Champion made a key steal whilst Pinnock hit a treble as Rockets enjoyed a 80-68 lead but again Flaherty hit three trebles back to back to quieten the Rockets supporters looking to progress to the next round of the National Cup.
Ben Dixon relieved some of the anxiety as he stopped an Archers offence with a steal and an assist to Jackson to slam dunk and effectively see Rockets progress to an away game in the next round.
Top scorers for Rockets were Troy Cracknell with 21 pts, six rebounds and five assists with the impressive Lewis Champion hitting 20 pts and giving six assists.
Jordan Jackson hit 18 pts and Reis Pinnock was also in double figures with 10 pts, six rebounds and five assists, though the man of the match was Archers’ Flaherty.
Report by Gary Johnson
