The McDonald’s Nottingham Hoods begin their 2016/17 with a cup double header at the Nottingham Wildcats Arena.
After last week’s opening away game was postponed, the Hoods have the luxury of a starting the season at home. On Saturday, they take on Killamarsh Derbyshire Arrows at 7.30pm in the Patrons Cup group stage, before Northants Thunder in the National Cup 2nd Round on Sunday at 7.00pm.
Both games will be tough and will be a good opportunity for the new look Hoods team to stretch their legs and get a feel for the season. Last season, the Hoods squeaked past Arrows the National Cup 72-73, dominated the home league game winning 81-70, before coming unstuck in the return leg 76-71, so it is bound to be a great first game of the season for the expected sell out crowd.
On Sunday, Hoods face an up and coming Northants Thunder team from Division 3. The teams have met three times, with Hoods winning in the National Cup way back in 2013, but Thunder taking both wins when they met in the league in 2014. Last season, the Thunder beat Hoods II, again, in the National Cup.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Hoods II will be looking to bounce back from last week’s opening round defeat as they travel to a solid Sheffield Sabres Team on Saturday at 1.30pm and the u14 Junior Hoods will make the Premier League debut as they take on Sheffield Junior Sharks t Mapperley Sports Village at 5.00pm.
On Sunday, u18 Junior Hoods take on Leicester Riders at Mapperley Sports Village with a 1.30pm tip, u16 Junior Hoods have their grudge match away to Notts Nova at trinity Upper School, with a 1.00pm tip and the u14 Junior Hoods make their National league debut taking on Leicester Riders, again at Mapperley Sports Village with a 3.30pm tip.
Club Captain, Bruce Lauder, said, “the first full weekend of fixtures for the club, and what an exciting one. The exciting under 14 team make their debut in the Premier tier after being promoted last season and the second team make their National League debut. To have two teams at the youngest age group level is hugely exciting for the club and the future, and I would like to thank the coaches and staff for making it happen. We then have the under 16 against rivals Notts Nova and the senior men debut with a home double header, it couldn’t be much better! The senior team are pumped and ready, the new signings have fitted into our club ethos very well and have quickly become part of the family and I cannot wait to see them run out onto the court for the first time in front of our Merry Men. I urge you all to get to as many games as you can this weekend and cheer on your Hoods family”
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