The Brentwood-based Leopards are just one game away from clinching basketball's equivalent of the FA Cup.

The National Cup final is being staged at the Sheffied Arena on Sunday, January 7.

At the end of last season, Leopards Coach Bob Donewald told supporters that he would build a team that would bring silverware to the town. All that now stands in his way, ironically, is his old club the Leicester Riders.

The Leopards Supporters Club are running coaches to Sheffield for the big game.

Tickets for the final and coach travel can be booked via the Leopards Office on 01277 230231.

Before the Cup Final there is the small matter of Leopards last three pool matches in the Uniball Trophy.

On Tuesday, the Leopards entertained Chester Jets, and by this Saturday (December 23) they could have clinched a quarter final berth as the Leopards travel to the south coast to take on the Brighton Bears.

The game tips off at 7pm and is to be played at the Triangle Leisure Centre, in Burgess Hill.

Brighton's form has been poor recently and the Leopards players want to get the job done here rather than having the outcome of the group decided in the final match.

That game takes place on Boxing Day, and the organisers have done the club no favours in asking players and supporters to travel to Sheffield to play the Sharks on a public holiday.

To make matters worse the tip-off has been put back to 6pm.

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