Storm blast past Rockets to progress in the Trophy

In an exciting contest that swayed one way and then the other with neither side able to gain control, the home fans roared their team on to an impressive victory that was only secured in the final minute.

Michael Darlow opened the home team’s scoring with a big three-pointer before a run of points by Reading left the away side up by five, three minutes in.

The impressive Carl Josey hit another three for the home side and, halfway through the first quarter, there was just one point in it at 12-11 in Reading’s favour.

The score stayed close until Rockets nailed a long two-pointer right on the buzzer to lead 29-23 at the end of the first quarter.

Hemel’s Walid Mumuni, who was assigned to mark Reading’s Spanish play-maker Marti, was incensed when two quick fouls were called against him through what he thought was play-acting by the opponent.

Mumuni was taken out of the game to avoid further fouls but returned at the start of the second period and scored his side’s next 16 points, including two three-pointers.

Reading hung on to a slender lead before Josey tied the scores with a long three assisted by Hemel’s new signing Tigan Mohammed who scored his first points for Storm with a smooth jump shot.

It was star guard Bode Adeluola who netted a three-pointer on the buzzer to send the home side into the locker room with a 50-45 edge.

Turnovers and poor shooting by Hemel in the third period allowed Reading to claw back the lead and, with 10 minutes left to play, the Berkshire team was 64-60 ahead.

The crowd’s deafening roar inspired Storm to produce some intense defence that wore the visitors down as the minutes counted down.

After Hemel’s Josey sank two free-throws, Reading replied with a three-pointer that left them just one point behind.

Mumuni then produced the play of the game when he leapt to cleanly block a close range attempt by Rockets’ Marti.

The visitors were forced to foul to stop the clock and get extra possession but Hemel iced the game from the free-throw line to the delight of the fans.

Storm Head Coach Steve Darlow was delighted with his players’ focus, mental toughness and never-say-die attitude.

“We really stuck to our game plan tonight and, despite the win, I feel there is much more to come from this year’s team,” he said. “We’ve just brought in a new system of offensive play and I’m proud of how quickly the guys are getting to grips with it.”

On Sunday in Leicester, Storm let a last quarter six-point lead slip against the Warriors to crash out of the National Cup at the third round stage in an 83-81 defeat.

Hemel led for most of the game but were unable to hang on at the death, with key players in foul trouble and two possession-changing decisions by the officials giving the home team an opportunity to seal the win.