NBL Division One play-off contenders Reading Rockets will host Division Two frontrunners Myerscough College on Sunday (5pm) in the National Cup semi-final at Rivermead Leisure Complex.

The visitors beat Westminster Warriors at the quarter-final stage, having also claimed a second Division One scalp in Liverpool prior to sealing their place in the last four.

Rockets path to the semi-final has included wins against Essex and Herts Leopards, Nottingham Hoods (both Division One), and Team Birmingham Elite.

Sunday’s match will be the first ever game at senior level between the team with a place in the final against either Solent Kestrels or Loughborough Riders at stake.

Speaking after last weekend’s split league games – where Rockets beat Nottingham 97-67 before losing to Thames Valley Cavaliers 100-81 – head coach Alan Keane said: “Last weekend was a bit of a mixed bag for us.

"Saturday’s performance was a very positive one and it was good to get another win on the board, but as a collective we were disappointed with our second-half performance in Sunday’s loss."

He continued: “However, the beauty of sport is you move on quickly and look ahead to your next challenge and this is exactly what we will do in preparation for the visit of Myerscough.

"National Cup games are always exciting affairs and this one will be no exception with (head coach) Neil (Hopkins) doing a fantastic job getting his team through the leagues and to this stage in their short history.

“We will be hoping that there is no ‘cup upset’ and that we can reward our hard work this season by advancing to the final, but we know there are no guarantees and we are going to have to be thoroughly prepared and on our A-game if we are to advance."

Rockets go into Sunday’s without the services of shooting guard Ben Dixon who is returning to Australia for the week for personal reasons.

The 26-year-old has been ever-present this season and is one of Keane’s leading defenders.

It means Rockets will call upon their youth to bolster their attack behind seniors Nick Richards, Liam Davis, Pau Mayor, Ed Potter, and Matias Boho.

David Chive should be available for selection, but Sam Grant will miss out with an on-going back problem.

Kelsey Espeut, Asher Ndah and David Obediah will be available for selection with Ross Stepney and James Jolly likely to get the call-up as the Rockets go in search of their first final in four years, the longest spell in their history.