Hildreth hopeful Thunder continue momentum

Thunder opened their 2016-17 season with a pair of wins in the National Trophy against Reading Rockets and Solent Kestrels as they have progressed to the semi-finals. Worthing also learned this week that they will face neighbours Sussex Bears in the National Cup, third round.

For Hildreth, though, it’s one game at a time and the focus will be on the Leicester Warriors this weekend. Like they choose to be every season, the visitors are an unknown quantity with no real news or players that Hildreth knows about.

That doesn’t mean that it won’t be a difficult encounter, as Leicester will be prepared and out to give Hildreth and his team a physical contest.

Thunder head coach Hildreth is relishing getting back to action and said: “Looking forward to getting back out there after a rare weekend off.

“We have made a nice start winning both Trophy games but we have to put that behind us and hope that we haven’t lost any momentum as face Leicester in the first league game of the season.

“We know they will be scrappy and physical, they play a trapping zone too so we will have to be ready for the tempo and play with real composure on offence. Each week we are getting better defensively and I hope that will continue as we will need to be at our best and focused in order to win.”

The Warriors have played just one game so far this season, which was a 69-62 home win over the newly-promoted Loughborough Student Riders.

Thunder’s game against the Leicester Warriors tips off at 7:30pm on Saturday night at the Worthing Leisure Centre.