READING ROCKETS kept their challenge for the play-off Championship on track with a win over Worthing Thunder.
A determined and driven Rockets took to the floor at the Thunderdome in Worthing only to see Thunder storm out of the blocks and convert a slam dunk with their first offense.
With power forward Meshack Lufile spinning to score and Jaz Bains hitting the first of his three trebles, Rockets led 16-8 mid way through the opening quarter.
Bains hit a pull up jump shot either side of a Danny Carter spin followed by a hook shot keeping Rockets four points ahead before Lewis Champion made the first of his six assists to Lufile to see Rockets with a 26-21 advantage at the end of the opening period.
Champion hit one from two from the free throw line to give Rockets what turned out to be their biggest lead of the game at 33-21.
Thunder struck consecutive trebles as they found their shooting form and fought back to just five points adrift at 36-31 mid way into the second period.
Six more Thunder points saw them take the lead for the first time in the game with their biggest scoring run of 12-0 to lead 37-36.
Before the quarter was out, the teams tied on 37 and 39 before another late burst from Thunder saw them go to the locker room leading 45-41 having taken the quarter 24-15.
The determined Rockets clawed their way back into the game as Cartaino hit a treble and Dixon made a jump shot before the pair worked together again as Dixon gave a great assist to Cartaino to cut the deficit to 50-54.
Rockets burst out of the gates at the start of the fourth quarter with a 6-0 run and maintained a lead.
Bains hit a brace of trebles and Cartaino covered every inch of the court in another excellent display from the guard while captain Dixon was very influential as per usual.
An 11-2 Rockets run hurt Thunder and though they got back to just two down in the end game scenario, it was the experienced Rockets who used the clock well and scored at crucial times to secure a well-deserved victory in Worthing by 89-82.
