Next week Crusaders are playing Durham in away. Crusaders hoped to upset pre-season league favourites Durham Wildcats in their Division 2 opener but had to concede a narrow seven point defeat, 81-74, in a game that was decided in the last minute.

In the Patrons Cup the Wildcats had run over the other North pool teams, winning by an average margin of 30 points, with the closest game being a 19 point beating of Birmingham A’s in the season premiere. In the National Cup Durham also were impressive. In the opening round they beat local rivals Huddersfield Heat, then beat Division 1 side Leeds Carnegie, Division 2 rival Team Northumbria before finally bowing out to Division 1 league leaders Manchester Magic in a two point loss in the quarter finals.

In the league Durham rode their momentum to six straight victories before they lost both games of their pre-Christmas away double header to the athletic London teams Westminster and Brixton. After Christmas they made light work of 10th place Plymouth Marjon, beating them 109-75 after being up 62-36 at half time. No doubt Durham will try to reassert their dominance while Crusaders will try to continue their recent good streak of two wins in the last three games.

Coach Vear knows this will be a test of his improved team: “This week’s game against Durham away will be one of our toughest tests this season. I think they are the most fundamentally sound team we have played all season.

“We played them tough the first time and expect them to be even tougher at home. They are very well balanced with some good guards and some talented big men but I know we will be up for the challenge.

Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre, Saturday 23 January, 7pm