TREBLE-chasing Chester Jets have never had it so good. Top of the British League's Northern Conference, a step away from their first National Cup final and tonight they could tighten their grip on the BBL Trophy.

It's a mind-boggling prospect for Jets' fans ­- comparable to Bolton Wanderers going for a Premiership, FA Cup and Worthington Cup treble!

The Northgate Arena is packing them in these days with around 1,000 supporters relishing every minute of the Jets' success against big clubs like Manchester Giants, Sheffield Sharks, London Towers, Birmingham Bullets and London Leopards.

And it could be another full house tonight (8pm) when Jets take on the Leopards in the group stages of the Trophy, which Chester won last season by beating Newcastle Eagles in the final ­ their first ever cup success.

After a day's rest they will be on the road to Coventry on Sunday to take on Thames Valley Tigers in the semi-final of the National Cup, which will be screened live from the Skydome on the ITV Sports Channel at 3.45pm.

The winners will play either Birmingham Bullets or Sheffield Sharks, who meet at 1.30pm.

The BBL's coach of the year, Robbie Peers, can hardly wait: 'This is a great opportunity for both teams to reach a cup final and I would say it's a 50-50 game. It's all down to which team puts it together on the day and deals with the pressure.

'The Tigers haven't played for three weeks, but that may work against them.'

Having tasted the atmosphere of a final in Birmingham last season the Jets want more, but first they have to deal with Leopards tonight.

'We are in a strong position in the Trophy and if we win we can get through to the quarter-finals,' added Peers.

'But it will be a tough battle. Leopards have great talent, pace and strength. They have won six matches in a row and they will think they are unbeatable, so we will have to be at our best.

'But having said that, our players are in great shape. Confidence is high and that is important.'

Peers, who has no injury worries tonight, was delighted with Chester's performances last  weekend. They trounced Derby Storm to open up a two-point gap at the top of the Northern Conference and then whipped Leicester Riders, the only team to beat them in the league this season, in defence of the Trophy.

'It was a great weekend,' he said. 'Derby was supposed to be an easy game for us, but they have had some good performances recently and I was pleased how professional we were.

'The Leicester match was a real battle, but we came through it.'