6/3/04 - Sell-out crowd can lift Wolves

A sell-out 700-plus crowd at University College Worcester will watch Wolves take on Hackney White Heat in the National League Patrons Cup final (7.30).

And player-coach Rick Solvason believes the backing of Wolves' vociferous band of supporters can make all the difference.

He said: "There will be a big crowd and they have always been behind us. It is the final of a national competition and we are fortunate that it is on our home court.

"It gives us an advantage and we must take it. The fans have been superb all year and we hope they can help us through tonight."

Wolves are hopeful that guard Rikki Prince will have shaken off a bout of 'flu to take his place in the squad.

They are also keeping their fingers crossed that key trio Ty Shaw, Josh Cooprider and Colin Chiverton get back in time from Gateshead, where they are playing for UCW in the British Universities finals.

The trio were due to play this morning before being raced back by car for the Wolves match, and they will return to Gateshead straight after the final hooter.

Solvason added: "It is not an ideal situation in many ways but we have to make the best of it. They are being driven down in a people-carrier so at least they can spread out and rest on the way back and that is good."

Wolves will be clear favourites to defeat a Hackney side who they have already beaten twice this season, but there won't be any complacency in the home camp.

Solvason said: "They played a good game against us at our place and they will be feeling confident as well. We have got to respect what they can do but we have to find our own playing form that we had at the beginning of the season.

"All the guys that were training the other night worked pretty hard and they are very keen to get their game going and want to be part of something at this club."

Tonight's game will be preceded at 4pm by the National Trophy final for Division One clubs, between Sutton Pumas and Worthing Thunder.