Rossendale Raptors faced two long away trips to Nottingham and Hull this weekend. Despite falling behind in both games, Raptors battled hard, pulled together as a team and managed to get two critical wins, both by just a two point margin.

On Saturday the Raptors played Nottingham Hoods in EBL3. The Raptors started very slowly, and trailed by 15 at half time and 20 mid way through the third. As the team struggled to get into any sort of rhythm Steven Gayle managed to find a spark and exploded in the last 15 minutes as he scored several "and 1s" and a handful of back to back three pointers to close the gap.

In the final minutes Raptors got ahead behind a Anthony Kuszaj three pointer and Aitor Estrada closed it out at the free throw line for a 69-67 win.

On Sunday Raptors faced the formidable Hull Wasps with GB u20 international John Stewart. In what was an up and down end to end game the lead changed hands several times.

Raptors were without key players and usual starters Aitor Estrada and Stephen Graham and afforded extra playing time to less regular members of the team.

It was Anthony Kuszaj who seems to be re-finding his form and led the team in scoring with 32 points. Steven Gayle also contributed well with 30 points.

It was a real team effort from the Raptors with every player playing over 10 minutes, and everyone getting on the scoresheet. Final scoree 100-98

Assistant Coach John Lindsay commented: "It was great to get two results in close games this weekend. We've been trying to get everyone involved, which has maybe made the games closer than they needed to be but it's great to see young local teenagers Jalees Siddiq and Ben Chicken getting playing time at such a high level. They're showing our juniors that you can develop through the club to the National League team!"

Raptors face Sheffield on Saturday at Haslingden Sports Centre. Tip off is 5:15pm and tickets are just £2 for adults and 50p for u16s.