Worthing Thunder can clinch a second successive league title tonight.

And, if they manage it, they will have a couple of local VIPs in the gym to enjoy their success.

Thunder need two more wins from three games to retain the EBL division one crown they won a year ago.

But that target will become one win in the highly unlikely event of rivals Manchester losing at Tees Valley today.

Thunder host Northampton Neptunes at Worthing Leisure Centre (8pm) and town mayor Tom Wye and youth mayor James Line will be watching.

Thunder assistant coach Alan Sweetman-Hicks accepts title celebrations will probably have to wait until next weekend.

But, with reference to the notable visitors and their post-game introduction to the players, he said: "This game is a big occasion in the Thunder season."

He added: "We all know that we need to just win two of our remaining three games to retain our title.

"The players deserve that for all the effort they have put in this season.

"We will not be under-estimating Northampton as we know they are still trying to secure a play-off spot in their first season in division one and, in player/coach Mark Spatcher, they have a player with BBL experience with the London Towers."

A battle of the boards looks likely as Neptunes' Joe Reynoso, who averages 17.8 rebounds a game, takes on Pat Bates and Janis Ivanovskis.

Reynoso has been scoring at 24 points per contest this season.

Sweetman-Hicks said: "We need to focus on ourselves and the things we do well to secure the victory and move on."