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Vital weekend ahead for Thunder - 23/03/2012

As the playoffs loom, Worthing Thunder need to bounce back this weekend as they host Leeds Carnegie at home on Saturday before a trip to the Rec to face Brixton Topcats on Sunday afternoon.

Worthing currently sit in fifth place outside the home playoff places and assistant coach James Brame knows that nothing but two wins this weekend will do.

Leeds and Brixton are currently outside the playoff picture with both sides still fighting for the last playoff spot along with Medway Park Crusaders.

“This is a vital weekend for us, our cause wasn’t helped when we lost to Reading and we need to bounce back by playing how we played in the third quarter last week for all eighty minutes this weekend,” Brame said.

“We’ve played both sides twice this season and we know of both of their threats, plus we’ve lost twice to Brixton, so we want to win badly at their place but we know it’ll be difficult.”

Thunder guard Vinnie Darpino is now back home in New Jersey so he can be able to fully recover from his hamstring injury. Brame wished him well, but praised replacement Bud Johnston for his positive leadership as the playoffs get closer.

“2012 hasn’t been the best of beginnings for Vinnie, but he has always been positive, and we all wish him well and personally, I thank him for all he has done this season,” Brame said.

“But on the flip side, Bud has come in and has done a great job of taking Vinnie’s role and becoming the leader for the team on the court and you need that in a point guard, you need a player with confidence and a will to win and Bud has those qualities.

Worthing’s game with Leeds tips off at 7:30pm at the Worthing Leisure Centre with doors opening at 6pm ticket prices are available on the website. Sunday’s game with Brixton tips at 4pm.

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