Caledonia Gladiators are preparing for a second double-header in as many weeks this Sunday as the women’s side takes on Manchester Giants at 3 PM and the men’s side welcome Leicester Riders later in the evening at 6. The sides are looking to keep their home form, following on from a win each in last week’s showcase.

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Caledonia Gladiators vs Manchester Giants – Women’s British Basketball League – 3 PM.

Caledonia Gladiators welcome Manchester Giants to PlaySport at 3 PM in Women’s British Basketball League Championship action.

Gladiators’ first matchup with Giants will come on Saturday evening in Manchester, just over 24 hours before the home fixture, with the two fixtures being the only time the sides will face off. Last year, when the north-west side was still known as Met Mystics, it was Miguel Ortega who came out with two wins against Marg Jones’ side. January saw the sides face off in a tense battle, with the Gladiators coming out with a 65-57 victory in Paisley thanks to a solid team performance – Chantelle Handy, Abbie Wolf and Erin McGarrachan leading the way with 16, 14, and 14 points respectively. Sam Keltos, who now plays in Romania, stood out for Manchester with 20 points and 13 rebounds. Then, in April, after another close contest, Gladiators came out 70-79 victors – a huge 25 points with 5 steals from Tea Adams, now playing in Iceland, led Caledonia to victory on the road.

Gladiators sit strongly in second place in the Championship with an impressive 6-1 record, behind only London Lions (8-0). A Sheffield Hatters loss at the hands of the Lions dropped them to fourth place (6-3), as Leicester Riders occupy the third spot (6-2), having played one more side than Caledonia. Manchester, who have looked significantly better this season, remain in the playoff picture as they’re in 6th place (3-5). (Information accurate before the weekend’s fixtures)

Last week vs Oaklands in the 86-62 W, captain Erin McGarrachan stepped up with 19 points personal, filling in as the side’s top scorer in the game following the departure of Djeneba N’Diaye – Hannah Robb also contributed with her second-best scoring outing of the season – hitting 15 points. For Marg Jones’ side, Myah Pace has been dominating on all fronts, putting up 15.6 PPG, 8.8 RPG and 4.1 APG. However, the Gladiators’ defense cannot discount some of the Giants’ other offensive threats including Idil Turk – who despite only averaging 5.5 PPG in the Championship, put up a season-high 35 points against Nottingham Wildcats in the Trophy – shooting 5/8 beyond the arc.

As the start to a second double-gameday experience in two weeks, the sides are set to fight it out in what’s looking like an intriguing one – given the Gladiators have yet to welcome the new-look Giants to PlaySport. And the result may depend on that of the night before, as the sides face off on Saturday afternoon.

Get your tickets for the action HERE!

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Caledonia Gladiators vs Leicester Riders – British Basketball League – 6 PM.

Caledonia Gladiators welcome Bristol Flyers to PlaySport at 6 PM in British Basketball League Championship action, in the second game of the double-header day.

Gladiators and Riders have matched up twice so far this season, once home and once away, making this the second time Riders have travelled to East Kilbride this campaign. The first time out, Gladiators picked up a hugely important 84-83 win thanks to clutch performances from ex-Leicester star Patrick Whelan (24 points), and Czech international Lukas Palyza (18 points). It was Clifton Moore who hit the game-winner following several clutch plays in the concluding minutes from Patrick Whelan. Later, in December, it was Leicester who came out victorious in the debuts of Teddy Allen and Mike Bothwell, with the prior leading Leicester to a 96-90 win with a massive 32 point outing.

Following the first week return from Trophy action, Gladiators sit in 2nd in the league (14-8) behind only London Lions (22-3), and tied with Cheshire Phoenix (14-8). The Riders sit in 5th, within a strange group of 11-11 record teams – alongside Sheffield Sharks and Newcastle Eagles who are in 4th and 6th.

In the win over Bristol Flyers last week, Patrick Whelan and Fahro Alihodzic hit 16 points apiece – continuing their top form domestically. For Leicester, new face Teddy Allen has dominated all competition – leading the side in scoring at 23 a game, alongside five rebounds and two assists. His first trip to PlaySport is set out to be an exciting one – with the Canadian being the one to watch for Gladiators’ fans, and the side’s defense.

The Gladiators will be looking to get one over the Riders, and take the advantage in the head-to-head going into the fourth and final game between the two. Before the home fixture, Gladiators travel to the North East tomorrow evening, facing historic rivals Newcastle Eagles LIVE on Sky Sports at 7:45 PM!

Secure your seats for the second game HERE!