Just under a week after welcoming his former club, Guildford Heat, to Worcester University, Worcester Wolves Head Coach Paul James (PJ) returns to his origins on Saturday night as his side look to cause an upset against third placed Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders at John Sandford Sports Centre. Worcester inflicted a 111-77 defeat on the Heat, where James won every honour in British Basketball and participated in European competition during his time there, and the veteran play caller was pleased with his side’s effort in what he called a ‘complete performance’. He said: ‘I'm very happy with the form we have shown in recent games. Last weekend without three starters, I thought we played some good ball at both ends of the court. Then on Saturday against my former team, Guildford Heat we continued in the same vain, but I was able to dress Harry Disy and Rod Middleton for this game even though they were not one hundred per-cent fit. This seemed to give the team a boost as this was our most complete performance of the season.’ He added: ‘I hope we can continue to play at this level for the remainder of the season.’

They face a tough proposition in the Riders, who will be closing in on a record breaking eight consecutive wins this weekend, and Head Coach, Rob Paternostro, thinks both games will challenge his in-form side. He said: ‘Worcester is a very difficult team to play. They have great perimeter play from (Rod) Middleton and (Daniel) Gilbert, and (Harry) Disy has been a very good player in the paint for them this year. Last time we played them, the game went right to the wire, so we are expecting a tough game on Saturday.’

This weekend’s action begins however, with a game deciding the head-to-head between Sheffield Sharks and Marshall MK Lions, and Sharks coach Atiba Lyons is warning his side that despite the Lions being depleted through injury, they will need to be ready for a physical battle: ‘The game this Friday is very important to us because a victory will give us the head to head advantage’ he said: ‘Last time we met, they were a little depleted in depth due to injury. They are a very strong side and have numerous different line-ups they can put out there that are effective. It will be important that we are aggressive offensively. I feel that both teams are strong defensively and are physical teams - that makes for a good match up.’

Lions Coach, Vince Macaulay, said: ‘The sharks are a tough team and play well together, we normally would like the match up as were much bigger however we will be so many men down that the reverse will be the case so we will need a different strategy.’

Also this evening, Everton Tigers  will look to make it three wins out of three games against Worthing Thunder, before facing PAWS London Capital on Saturday, whilst Saturday’s action is rounded off by a Southern clash between Essex Pirates and Guildford Heat.