James Mooney has revealed why Worthing Thunder can make it second time lucky this season in major finals.

Thunder tackle Reading Rockets in the National Trophy final at the Amaechi Centre in Manchester on Sunday (2pm) looking to pick up their first piece of silverware this season but their fourth in two years.

Thunder will look to improve on their display in the National Cup final in January, when they lost to Manchester as top scorer Demetrius Scott struggled badly with an ankle injury.

Mooney is convinced Thunder will fare better against the Rockets.

The American shooting guard said: "It's kind of good we lost that first final in a way.

"Our eyes are wide open. I'd say we're more hungry in this final than we were in the last.

"We know what we did wrong and we know how to play well.

"Our chemistry is so much better. We are working so much harder in practice.

"Defence is all we have been stressing in practice. It's defence, defence, defence.

"What's happening is our defence is making our offence 100 times better.

"Everything is picking up and it's just like we were playing right before the Christmas break. If we get rolling like that again, I think we will be pretty unstoppable."

Mooney highlighted the difference a fully-fit Scott can make, both to outside shooters like himself and James Brame and to front court duo Cleve Woodfork and Pat Bates.

He added: "He is fully fit now, his ankle is strong. With him at full force it puts a lot of pressure on them defensively.

"With him penetrating, you have me and JB on the outside to kick it out to.

"Then you have Cleve and Pat to dump it inside for a lay-up or a dunk.

"Defensively he brings a lot of intensity. He's quick, he gets up and down the floor.

"Obviously it's a big game but we will still have the same mentality. We'll push the ball, attack them inside. If we play our game we should be good."

Thunder must do without back-up swingman Ryan Marrast, who completes a three-game ban.

Marrast returns for the potential title decider at Manchester next Saturday.