LEICESTER Riders lively coach Rob Paternostro expects a tough BBL Championship opener against the Cheshire Jets at the Northgate Arena on Sunday (5.30pm tip-off).

“Cheshire is a difficult place to play, they have some great fans up there that can impact the game,” he said.

“We will have to be ready to play an intelligent game.”

Paternostro is particularly wary of Matt Schneck (pictured left).

“He will hurt you if you do not match his energy, or physicality,” he said. “We have to keep him off the boards.”

Jets head coach John Lavery said: “Cameron Rundles, Ayron Hardy and Bradd Wierzbicki are putting up good numbers at the moment.”