Basketball: Towers stand ripe for picking

If Robbie Peers had a choice he would prefer not to be taking his under-performing London Towers to Thames Valley Tigers and Plymouth Raiders as he tries to coax his players back on track in the BBL Championship after two damaging defeats last weekend.

If Robbie Peers had a choice he would prefer not to be taking his under-performing London Towers to Thames Valley Tigers and Plymouth Raiders as he tries to coax his players back on track in the BBL Championship after two damaging defeats last weekend.

The coach Peers saw Towers lose their BBL Trophy semi-final against Brighton Bears in Newcastle last Saturday, then crossed the border for a Championship defeat against Scottish Rocks in Glasgow the next day.

Peers has filled his side with BBL All-Stars, but it is his former team Chester Jets who lead the Championship, with Towers six points behind in fifth - albeit with two games in hand. In-form Thames Valley can inspire vociferous support at their cramped court, while BBL newcomers Plymouth always attract a packed and raucous crowd to The Pavilions.

Both coaches believe Towers can be picked off this weekend. Tigers' Paul James said: "Obviously Towers do have some of the best players in the league, but we feel we can match them in most positions. Playing on our floor gives us that extra edge which can be vital in these games."

Raiders' coach Gary Stronach added: "You can look at it two ways - after their results last weekend it can either be a great time to catch them, or it could be awful."