Steve Gayle has revealed how he’s fallen back in love with basketball – and it has helped steer Rossendale Raptors to the brink of another promotion.

Wins over Mersey Tigers II and, most importantly, Middlesbrough last weekend put the Raptors two points clear at the top of the National League Division Four North with six games left.

While the Raptors have made giant strides in recent years, entering the National League for the first time in the club’s history this season, it came as some surprise when Gayle signed in October.

The 31-year-old point guard had played for several clubs in the British Basketball League, the UK’s top flight, before becoming disillusioned at Cheshire Jets.

After leaving the Jets at the end of last season, a proposed move to Mersey Tigers fell through before Gayle took the decision to drop down four levels to lead an ambitious Rossendale outfit.

Gayle is the league’s top scorer, averaging over 30 points per game, and playing in the lower leagues has rekindled his passion for the game and has restored his confidence.

"It’s been a good year for me, to get back playing a lot and scoring," he said.

"When you’re not playing as much you do start to doubt yourself.

"I know I played professional before but it was beginning to feel like just a job.

"It was all about getting the job done so it’s nice to go back and play, to relax and not worry about it as much.

"Don’t get me wrong, I always want to win, but we don’t make out it’s life or death. The fun part’s back in it.

"Nobody’s trying to get their stats up to get a contract for next year, they’re just playing.

"It’s nice to be able to make mistakes as a team and then put them right without worrying about your future."

The Raptors host lowly Mold Magic this Saturday but were given a stern test by title rivals Middlesbrough, so Gayle gained much satisfaction from the fact an under-strength Rossendale side prevailed 98-97.

"It was a tough game," he said. "We were missing a few guys so we went in there with basically half a team.

"But we had two guys step up from the lower team so we did really well to get the win."

http://menmedia.co.uk/rossendalefreepress/sport/s/1485028_raptors-backed-by-strong-gayle