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Reading Rockets’ wait for a National Cup trophy continues after they lost in the final of the knockout competition.<\/span><\/p>\n They fell to their Division One rival Thames Valley Cavaliers, who claimed their first-ever title, coming from behind to win 66-57.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n “It just wasn’t our day,” said Rockets guard Kristina Karpova.<\/span><\/p>\n “We played great defence and stopped their transition runs, which is something they do really well – they just outdid us on rebounding.”<\/span><\/p>\n The Cavaliers made a fast start and were up 7-0 before Saioa San Francisco charged through the paint for the lay-in to get Reading on the scoreboard.<\/span><\/p>\n The first two quarters were tightly contested but the Rockets were able to fight back and a Maike Meier hook-shot put them ahead for the first time.<\/span><\/p>\n They entered half-time with a one-point lead, at 27-26.<\/span><\/p>\n “The young girls on our team really stepped up. I’m so proud of them,” added Karpova.<\/span><\/p>\n Thames Valley wrestled control of the game away from Reading toward the end of the third quarter and pulled away in the fourth, opening up a 10-point lead.<\/span><\/p>\n For the Rockets veteran leader Karpova, who was appearing in <\/span>her third National Cup final<\/span><\/a>, it was a tough loss after the Cavaliers eliminated them from the same competition last season.<\/span><\/p>\n “It was really hard,” she admitted. <\/span><\/p>\n “I was looking for third time lucky but unfortunately the other team were slightly better and we were just a little weaker this time.<\/span><\/p>\n “We have to move on, get back to training, and focus on the National League.<\/span><\/p>\n “If we ever get back to the National Cup final again we need to bring the trophy home.”<\/span><\/p>\n‘A little weaker’<\/h3>\n