SWINDON Shock’s player-coach David Colclough has highlighted today’s clash with the Exeter Eagles as a huge game as they look for their fourth consecutive win in the National League Division Four.

Last time out the New College-based side were up against fellow promotion hopefuls Cardiff City, with the hosts claiming an 83-77 win.

Chris Cole totalled 34 points, while Spencer Wells weighed in with a further 23 as Shock picked up their seventh success of the season. Shock fell behind early on in their last game against the Welsh side as they trailed the first quarter by five points.

Despite this, the hosts were able to turn things around in the second session by outscoring the visitors by 28 to 12.

Shock extended their lead further with another solid outing in the third where they outscored Cardiff.

However, the fourth stanza was less than straightforward as Shock handed their opponents 15 points in free throws after a manic period reduced the margin back down to six points.

Speaking after the win, Colclough admits he would like to see his team close out games when they are ahead as his side prepare to host eighth placed Exeter Eagles.

“We need to close teams out and put games away, our bench needs to have more confidence and guys have to come into the game ready to play,” said Colclough.

“We’re going to stay positive and learn from it. We will regroup and focus on Exeter while holding on to first place.

“It’s a bit frustrating (to give away so many points) but I’d rather teach from a win than a loss.

“We worked on how to close out games over the break.

“Overall it was a very good win and more than satisfied as it put us in prime position to get into the play-offs and keeps our hopes up for a title shot.

“We got three more home games in a row against teams we know, including Exeter, if we win them it leaves us RCT Gladiators and Cardiff fighting for the play-offs.”