Thunder '˜massive underdogs' for final

WORTHING Thunder Basketball Club coach Daniel Hildreth says his side go into Sunday's National Cup final with Manchester Magic as massive underdogs.
Thunder's Tom Ward Picture: Andre NicholsThunder's Tom Ward Picture: Andre Nichols
Thunder's Tom Ward Picture: Andre Nichols

Thunder head into the game on the back of three successive losses, while Magic sit top of the National League with 12 wins from 13 matches and are also in the semi-finals of the National Trophy.

Hildreth’s men might also be without key forward Tomas Seduikis, who has a two-game ban to serve after his ejection from the Kent match earlier this month. Thunder were waiting to hear from Basketball England this week when Seduikis’s ban will begin.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Hildreth is also hopeful that guard Tom Ward recovers from a slight back injury which saw him miss the defeats to Leicester and Reading at the weekend.

Looking ahead to the final, which takes place at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield, with a 3.30pm tip-off, Hildreth said: “We’re not going in to the game with any momentum but some of our best wins this season have been when our backs have been against the wall, or when we’ve lost the night before.

“We know we’re massive underdogs but I’m not going to say we’ve got nothing to lose. We go into the game with everything to gain.

“They are top of the league and have only lost one game, they’re also in the semi-finals of the Trophy and are looking to retain the National Cup.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“However, it’s a one-off game at a neutral venue and anything can happen. It’s a great achievement for the club and this group of players and I’m so proud of them for getting to the final.

“The pressure is on Manchester to retain the cup. I think it will be a close game but you never know what’s going to happen in a final.

“There might be an unexpected hero or one of your experienced players might pick up a couple of early fouls and not be that involved.

“It’s the beauty of sport in that you just don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Thunder had extra training sessions to prepare for the final this week and are staying in Sheffield on Saturday night.

Follow @Worthing_Sport on Twitter for live updates during Sunday’s final.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.

Related topics: