BCB WEEK 22: TITLE RACE TAKES ANOTHER TURN; BCB TROPHY FINALISTS BOTH WIN

Newcastle Knights suffered a setback to their BCB championship hopes while the Aldermore Reading Rockets closed the gap ahead of their crunch game next Saturday.

The Knights lost to the City of Birmingham Rockets, who continue to hang around in the title race hunt, while Reading handed the Nottingham Hoods only their second loss of the year.

Key Storylines

• Birmingham overcome Newcastle as title race is shaken up again
• Reading beat Nottingham to set up crunch game against Newcastle on Saturday
• Milton Keynes lose ground with loss to Derby

Recap

The City of Birmingham Rockets (16-5) opened the title race with a 110-102 victory on the road against the Newcastle Knights (18-4)

In a high-scoring affair, the Rockets fought back from an 11-point first-quarter deficit to storm clear, despite a 36-point barrage from the Knights in the fourth period.

Ronald Blain and Zack Powell led Birmingham with 27 points apiece, with Powell dishing out 12 assists as the victors shot an impressive 55 percent from the field. Sam Trunley had a game-high 32 points for Newcastle.

That result helped Aldermore Reading Rockets (17-4) take advantage of Newcastle’s slip-up with a 93-77 win over the Nottingham Hoods (11-10) in a bruising battle.

Jax Bouknight led Reading with 21 points, as he connected on five three-pointers. Yusef Salih added 17. Tyrone Williams led all scorers with 28 points for Nottingham, who lost only their second game in 2026.

Like Newcastle, Milton Keynes Breakers (16-6) also lost ground at the top as they were beaten 94-86 away to the Derby Trailblazers (11-10).

Mo Walker and Malcolm Smith both had 21 points to lead the Trailblazers, who bagged their second straight win to continue their playoff push. Charlie Brown added 11 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds.

After winning nine games in a row, the Breakers have now lost back-to-back games, with three of their next four games coming against playoff contenders. DaShawn Jackson paced MK with 21.

A 27-8 fourth quarter blitz lifted the Yorkshire Dragons (13-10) to a 76-71 victory over the Loughborough Riders (5-17). The Dragons had trailed 63-49 after three before their sensational run materialised.

Corey Johnson paced the winners with 18 points and six rebounds. Michael Joiner had a game-high 27 for the Riders.

Hemel Storm (6-15) overcame the Worthing Thunder (10-11) 101-94 in a thrilling battle at the Hemel Hempstead Leisure Centre.

Matt Norman shot 11-for-19 from the floor for 27 points to lead Hemel, supported by 19 points and 10 rebounds from Darien Nelson-Henry. Justin Hopkins amassed 22 points for Worthing.

London Cavaliers (13-8) had Juan Manning in dominant form as they beat Bristol Flyers II (0-22) 110-70. Manning hit six three-pointers as he poured in 33 points and four assists for the Cavs. Nassim Ladjimi led Bristol with 23 points, and he, too, hit six triples.

Disappointment for the Flyers, but joy for their neighbours from across the road as the Bristol Hurricanes (5-15) beat the Essex Rebels (9-13) 85-78. Denzel Ubiaro led the victors with 20 points, cancelling out Kyron Martin’s 23 for the Rebels.