Brentwood: currently 4°C, some cloud
high today 7°C, low tonight 3°C
sunrise 07:58, sunset 15:49
Now playing:
Boogie Nights and Classic Phoenix - 14 Dec 2024
Listen Live Webcam


Baker Delighted with Win

Dave Ryan reports…

Leopards wrapped up pre-season with a 90-83 victory at Reading Rockets on Saturday.

The Big Cats’ run and gun style was reminiscent of the original Leopards as they wore down a Rockets’ side who are expected to challenge for silverware in Division One.

Leopards’ coach Thomas Baker was delighted, and although neither side were at full strength, a strong finish to the game saw Baker’s side overturn a big deficit after trailing for the first 25 minutes of the game.

“Firstly a massive thanks goes to Coach Keane and the Rockets organisation for putting on the friendly” said Baker.

“We started off competing really hard, we just weren’t getting the rewards we wanted. We could have easily caved in but the guys showed commitment and togetherness that I am sure we will need to show again this season.

“We were able to stay focused and fight for little things we needed. The guys are really open to learning and the culture we’re building was demonstrated throughout in this game.

“It is a massive confidence boost to come away with a win but my message to them after the game was about staying humble and continuing to work. We learnt a lot but still have a lot to learn. With people missing it was positive to see what we could be like. Now we have to tighten up a few things and keep focussing on the small details that lead to bigger things.”

With Leopards facing trips to Thames Valley Cavaliers in the National Trophy and Team Derby in the National Cup at the weekend, Baker is ready for the new campaign: “I am really looking forward to starting the season next weekend. I am excited to see where this season will take us, it will be about adapting and evolving one game at a time.”

Four Leopards finished in double figures, with Dion Easton Jnr leading the way on 18, Sam Newman 16, Luke Mascall-Wright getting hot in the second half to drop 13 and Chuck Duru hitting ten in an excellent personal performance as he filled in for Hodges.

The Big Cats trailed throughout the first half, but grabbed the lead with a minute of the third period remaining when Mascall-Wright drained a three, and their running game eventually wore Rockets down for a morale-boosting victory.

 
 
Subscribe to our newsletter!
One a month, no spam, honest

Now on air
Coming up
More from Local sport
More from
More from Phoenix FM


Baker Delighted with Win

Dave Ryan reports…

Leopards wrapped up pre-season with a 90-83 victory at Reading Rockets on Saturday.

The Big Cats’ run and gun style was reminiscent of the original Leopards as they wore down a Rockets’ side who are expected to challenge for silverware in Division One.

Leopards’ coach Thomas Baker was delighted, and although neither side were at full strength, a strong finish to the game saw Baker’s side overturn a big deficit after trailing for the first 25 minutes of the game.

“Firstly a massive thanks goes to Coach Keane and the Rockets organisation for putting on the friendly” said Baker.

“We started off competing really hard, we just weren’t getting the rewards we wanted. We could have easily caved in but the guys showed commitment and togetherness that I am sure we will need to show again this season.

“We were able to stay focused and fight for little things we needed. The guys are really open to learning and the culture we’re building was demonstrated throughout in this game.

“It is a massive confidence boost to come away with a win but my message to them after the game was about staying humble and continuing to work. We learnt a lot but still have a lot to learn. With people missing it was positive to see what we could be like. Now we have to tighten up a few things and keep focussing on the small details that lead to bigger things.”

With Leopards facing trips to Thames Valley Cavaliers in the National Trophy and Team Derby in the National Cup at the weekend, Baker is ready for the new campaign: “I am really looking forward to starting the season next weekend. I am excited to see where this season will take us, it will be about adapting and evolving one game at a time.”

Four Leopards finished in double figures, with Dion Easton Jnr leading the way on 18, Sam Newman 16, Luke Mascall-Wright getting hot in the second half to drop 13 and Chuck Duru hitting ten in an excellent personal performance as he filled in for Hodges.

The Big Cats trailed throughout the first half, but grabbed the lead with a minute of the third period remaining when Mascall-Wright drained a three, and their running game eventually wore Rockets down for a morale-boosting victory.

 
 
Subscribe to our newsletter!
One a month, no spam, honest

Now on air
Coming up
More from Local sport
More from
More from Phoenix FM


Baker Delighted with Win

Dave Ryan reports…

Leopards wrapped up pre-season with a 90-83 victory at Reading Rockets on Saturday.

The Big Cats’ run and gun style was reminiscent of the original Leopards as they wore down a Rockets’ side who are expected to challenge for silverware in Division One.

Leopards’ coach Thomas Baker was delighted, and although neither side were at full strength, a strong finish to the game saw Baker’s side overturn a big deficit after trailing for the first 25 minutes of the game.

“Firstly a massive thanks goes to Coach Keane and the Rockets organisation for putting on the friendly” said Baker.

“We started off competing really hard, we just weren’t getting the rewards we wanted. We could have easily caved in but the guys showed commitment and togetherness that I am sure we will need to show again this season.

“We were able to stay focused and fight for little things we needed. The guys are really open to learning and the culture we’re building was demonstrated throughout in this game.

“It is a massive confidence boost to come away with a win but my message to them after the game was about staying humble and continuing to work. We learnt a lot but still have a lot to learn. With people missing it was positive to see what we could be like. Now we have to tighten up a few things and keep focussing on the small details that lead to bigger things.”

With Leopards facing trips to Thames Valley Cavaliers in the National Trophy and Team Derby in the National Cup at the weekend, Baker is ready for the new campaign: “I am really looking forward to starting the season next weekend. I am excited to see where this season will take us, it will be about adapting and evolving one game at a time.”

Four Leopards finished in double figures, with Dion Easton Jnr leading the way on 18, Sam Newman 16, Luke Mascall-Wright getting hot in the second half to drop 13 and Chuck Duru hitting ten in an excellent personal performance as he filled in for Hodges.

The Big Cats trailed throughout the first half, but grabbed the lead with a minute of the third period remaining when Mascall-Wright drained a three, and their running game eventually wore Rockets down for a morale-boosting victory.

 
 
Subscribe to our newsletter!
One a month, no spam, honest

Now on air
Coming up
More from Local sport
More from
More from Phoenix FM


Baker Delighted with Win

Dave Ryan reports…

Leopards wrapped up pre-season with a 90-83 victory at Reading Rockets on Saturday.

The Big Cats’ run and gun style was reminiscent of the original Leopards as they wore down a Rockets’ side who are expected to challenge for silverware in Division One.

Leopards’ coach Thomas Baker was delighted, and although neither side were at full strength, a strong finish to the game saw Baker’s side overturn a big deficit after trailing for the first 25 minutes of the game.

“Firstly a massive thanks goes to Coach Keane and the Rockets organisation for putting on the friendly” said Baker.

“We started off competing really hard, we just weren’t getting the rewards we wanted. We could have easily caved in but the guys showed commitment and togetherness that I am sure we will need to show again this season.

“We were able to stay focused and fight for little things we needed. The guys are really open to learning and the culture we’re building was demonstrated throughout in this game.

“It is a massive confidence boost to come away with a win but my message to them after the game was about staying humble and continuing to work. We learnt a lot but still have a lot to learn. With people missing it was positive to see what we could be like. Now we have to tighten up a few things and keep focussing on the small details that lead to bigger things.”

With Leopards facing trips to Thames Valley Cavaliers in the National Trophy and Team Derby in the National Cup at the weekend, Baker is ready for the new campaign: “I am really looking forward to starting the season next weekend. I am excited to see where this season will take us, it will be about adapting and evolving one game at a time.”

Four Leopards finished in double figures, with Dion Easton Jnr leading the way on 18, Sam Newman 16, Luke Mascall-Wright getting hot in the second half to drop 13 and Chuck Duru hitting ten in an excellent personal performance as he filled in for Hodges.

The Big Cats trailed throughout the first half, but grabbed the lead with a minute of the third period remaining when Mascall-Wright drained a three, and their running game eventually wore Rockets down for a morale-boosting victory.

 
 
Subscribe to our newsletter!
One a month, no spam, honest

Now on air
Coming up
More from Local sport
More from
More from Phoenix FM