SWINDON Shock return to action this weekend as they prepare to travel to the Oxford Stealers on Sunday afternoon.

Shock, who made a winning start to the season at the beginning of the month with a three-point win over Exeter Eagles in South West Division Four of the National Basketball League, will be hoping for more of the same as they hit the road again.

Despite the Stealers beating David Colclough’s side twice last year, the Shock head coach is hoping his team can buck the trend on Sunday.

“They’re a bogey team for us. We tend to lose by two points every time we play them or we split each year,'' said Colclough.

“Last year, we lost twice – once at the buzzer and once when we made a stupid foul when we were in the lead, so they won it free throws.

“We’ve had some hiccups with them, so we are hoping for a different result against them on Sunday.”

The New College-based side were due to play promotion rivals Bristol Flyers 2nd last weekend, but they have since pulled out of the league.

The Shock subsequently made the most of the extra weekend as they crammed in some practice on the court.

Colclough added: “In training, we have been going over our offence – simple finds and things for the younger guys can figure it out – as well as some shooting drills to make sure we are match-fit.

“The process of everybody playing and you having a week off; while it is good for the legs, in the early season, you want to be playing.

“We have got a lot out of it. We are playing very well together and developing new strategies which we can try out this weekend.

“It could be an advantage because we were able to fine-tune some things, but it could be a disadvantage as we might be a bit rusty.”

Shock will tip off their second game of season away to Oxford at 12.45pm on Sunday.