Essex Pirates' Walid Mumuni aims for second win over Cheshire Jets (From Echo)

Essex Pirates' Walid Mumuni aims for second win over Cheshire Jets

8:30am Friday 5th March 2010 in

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ESSEX Pirates’ Walid Mumuni is hoping for another enjoyable evening at home to Cheshire Jets tomorrow night.

Pirates saw off the Chester based side 80-72 at the Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre back in December.

And Mumuni is now seeking more of the same this weekend.

“Despite not winning many games this year the win against Jets remains one of my favourite victories and it would be great to beat them again,” said Mumuni, 26.

“Last time they came down everyone from their scruffy head coach right down to the bench players had no respect for us and thought they were going to kill us.

“As you know that didn't happen so I am expecting them to come out playing hard and not taking us likely.

“We are playing very good basketball on our home floor though and it will be very tough for Jets or any other team to beat us.

“ I am also expecting us to win as each game we play now because we have improved both as a team and individually and have moved one step closer to understanding what it takes win games.”

Pirates have not triumphed at home since seeing off Jets and will be keen to put that right tomorrow in a match which tips off at 7.30pm.

Last weekend they scored more than 100 points for the first time as they ran the high-flying Newcastle Eagles close for the majority of the match before eventually losing 117-104.

That raised spirits in the Pirates camp who, according to Mumuni, are now feeling far more confident.

“Despite losing and conceding 117 points the game against Eagles was encouraging as we showed that we are more than capable of competing with the top teams in this league,” said Mumuni.

“At one point in the first half we had a 10 point lead and the momentum of the game seemed to be moving in our favour.

“However their experience proved to be too strong for us and our lack of concentration and execution allowed them to take back the lead and gain an advantage.”

But such a performance showed how Pirates have enhanced their game at both ends of the court.

And they are now aiming to maintain those levels on a more consistent basis.

“We have made major improvements as a team,” said Mumuni.

“We are more aggressive and have improved our team play. Now we want to show that again tomorrow night and also win against Jets.”