THE National Trophy visits the Harlow Leisure Zone for the first time on Saturday, when Essex Leopards host Worthing Thunder.

It will be the Big Cats’ first game of the season in the competition, which is the league cup for Division One sides.

Thunder won their opening game in the competition, beating Kent Crusaders in a thrilling match-up 82-81.

The Leopards went down 80-69 when the sides met on the South Coast in the competition last season, but won both league games on their way to runners-up spot in Division One.

The Big Cats wrapped up pre-season last Saturday with a pair of contrasting victories at the Brentwood Centre.

The first game proved to be highly entertaining as Leopards defeated RAF Lakenheath Eagles 72-68.

American Byron Richards led the way with 19 points against a team composed entirely of his compatriots, while Albert Margai added 13 and Dave Ajumobi 12.

The Big Cats led 20-14 at the first break and 38-28 at half-time, and they looked set for a comfortable victory as they went into the final break 58-42 ahead.

The lead peaked at 20 points following an Ajumobi basket early in the fourth period but the fitness of the visitors showed down the stretch as they narrowed the gap before a three-point play from Courtney Van Beest sealed the win.

After a two-hour break, the Big Cats returned to the court and handed out a 92-39 parting to Dagenham Dragons.

The home side blew the London League side away with a 29-6 first period.

The lead grew to 46-20 at half-time despite the Big Cats’ bench all seeing plenty of court time and the win was wrapped up with a 25-9 third period and 21-10 fourth quarter.

Tickets can be bought on the door for Saturday’s game. Tip off at 7.30pm.