Lavery enjoying Jets job

Cheshire Jets coach John Lavery says he is excited about his role this season, as he prepares his team to face Mersey Tigers and Durham Wildcats at the weekend.

Lavery, 44, played for the club back in 1991/92 and took over from Paul Smith in the close season.

He said: “Yeah, I’m enjoying it. It’s a step up, but it’s always something I’ve wanted to do. I’m enjoying it, I give 100 percent whether we win or lose, hopefully well get the injury situation sorted out.

“We took Newcastle to four points with basically four players, the guys are giving 110 percent out there it must be tough for them. We just need to cut out the silly mistakes as we’re averaging over 15 turnovers a game which is hurting us. If we don’t do that it’ll be a long, long season.”

The Jets were narrowly beaten 78-74 by the table-topping Eagles last weekend, and were dealt a further blow when centre Matt Schneck limped off with an ankle injury.

Lavery added: “Obviously you don’t feel good after a defeat but the guys put some real effort in but the silly mistakes killed us down the stretch as did the injuries. I thought on the night we were the better team, at one stage we could have been 20 points up. The guys on the bench had to step up when Matt went out, and to a certain extent they did that.”

Cheshire will be out for revenge when Durham travel to Northgate on Sunday. The Jets remain the Wildcats’ only scalp in the BBL this term, losing 74-72 when they met at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre a month ago.