Coach Steve Butler has described this weekend’s relegation battle with Westminster Warriors as Tees Valley Mohawks’ most important match of the season so far.
Butler’s side have won only two of their 10 EBL National League Division One games this term and are just one place off the foot of the table after starting 2015 with a narrow 79-71 home defeat to Kent Crusaders last weekend.
But the Warriors, who visit Teesside University’s Olympia Building in Middlesbrough on Sunday (5pm tip-off), are also embroiled in a fight for top flight survival.
“The game this weekend is the most important game of our season so far,” said Butler. “It’s a must win game.
“At the moment we are two league points behind Westminster and a defeat will really put the pressure on the club if we are fighting against the drop - we can’t afford to go four points behind them at this stage of the season.”
Despite their parlous position in the table, Mohawks have been agonisingly close to being on the right end of the scoreline on numerous occasions.
Five of the league games they have lost this season were by less than an eight-point margin - two of them by just two points - which demonstrates how close they have been to getting results.
“I’ve said it all season - we are so close but we allow teams to steal wins from us,” added Butler.
“It’s just frustrating because if we had won at least three of those close games then the season would look a lot better, but we can’t make excuses.
“We have to battle for the whole game and not just for 30 minutes of it.”
Meanwhile Mohawks II also look to get back to winning ways with Sheffield Sabres heading to the Olympia tomorrow (2.30pm) and Sefton Stars doing likewise on Sunday (3pm).
Mohawks II are bottom of Division Three North and need some points on the board.
Leading scorer Logan Hollowman said: “It’s important we can get the win against Sheffield Sabres. We lost by two points at their place so I think it’s going to be another close game.
“But we have improved a lot since that game and I’m confident we can get the W we need.
“Sunday is a tough contest but if we play to our strengths, two wins this weekend would be a great return for the club.”
Adult ticket prices are £2 per Division Three game or £5 for both. It’s £3 forchildren
While the seniors are struggling, it’s been a good season for the young guns, however.
Mohawks’ Under-14 A team are also in action tomorrow as they look to maintain top spot in the Teesside League. They take on the club’s B team at the Olympia in what should be should be an intriguing game.
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