Following a 16 game winning streak Raptors are clear at the top of the EBL4 North. Promotion is all but secured unless the Raptors lose their last two games and there's a huge swing in points difference. That now looks very unlikely and the Raptors coaches and playing staff are delighted to have achieved so much in their first season.

"When I think that there are quality teams and excellent clubs like Hull, Middlesbrough, Burnley Blaze, Bradford Maroons, Stockport who've had multiple seasons in this division then it really highlights how well we've done. We've won 16 games in a row against quality sides and for anyone that takes some doing," head coach Jim Fry commented.

The Raptors have been led by Steven Gayle who's been phenomenal all season and the stand out player in the league. But the Raptors have had lots on contributions from lots of players and the sides strength in depth has been a key factor.

Assistant coach Gren Worsley explained, "Lots of sides have 3/4/5 quality players, but we've managed to put together a squad of 10/11 guys where they can all compete in this league and would probably be starters on a lot of sides in the division. Ionut Slabu has had multiple 20/30 point games and countless double doubles as has big man Mark Cowell. Aitor Estrada has had a 40 point game. Matt Allerston scored 15+ in tight games at Hull and Tess Valley. Steve Graham averages double figures and is second in the league in field goal percentage. Rob Williams has had some huge defensive games, Ken Masser has had games with 12pts, 7 assists, 7 boards. Tom Platt has hit big shots. Matt Ngara has had plenty of games scoring 15+ points. Angelo Kornecki has had a 15point 15board game and averages double figures, and John Lindsay has consistently put up numbers all season."

"Our strength has been that on any given night we had 12 guys who can step up and win us the game. That makes the team both fun and difficult to coach, but for everyone else in the league extremely hard to beat. Even when we've had 4/5/6 guys out injured like away at Middlesbrough where we missed 6 regulars including 3 starters we have still managed to win games. Despite the general conception that we're a one man team - everyone we've played this season has soon realised that is a long way from the truth."

Steve Gayle has been open in the press of late explaining how much he has enjoyed the season commenting; "The club management is excellent. I sometimes forget that this is a division four club as it feels like a Div1 setup. There's a lot of talent in this team and I'm really enjoying playing here."

Angelo Kornecki who's missed the last few games with a broken foot commented, "It's been terrific this year. Most of all we've just enjoyed the journey; but as our winning streak has grown and guys have got more and more serious about winning this league. I hope that we'll reach that goal over the next two weeks. We're a tight knit group and we're having a lot of fun playing together. Everyone is contributing, everyone can score - and our size makes us a tough match up for anyone."

So the situation is simple. Beat Stockport on Sunday and the league title is secured. If the team lose on Sunday they can still win the league next week at home to Oldham. If Stockport lose to Burnley today then the title will be virtually ours without playing another game but fingers crossed that the winning streak is kept alive into the playoffs. Coach Fry commented, "The momentum from beating stockport and Oldham could prove important as we face sides from around the country, and besides - we don't like losing!"