Worthing Thunder reckon they have the answers they need to win their first league crown.

They are just waiting to see what sort of test they are faced with in what could be the title decider.

Barkers (Tarring) Thunder go to City of Sheffield Arrows today (6pm) knowing a win will secure their first EBL title and help erase a reputation for being gallant runners-up.

Despite being perennial high-flyers, Thunder have won just one piece of silverware since being formed in 1999.

As the honours' board on the back page of their match programme points out, they have been runners-up or losing finalists on seven occasions.

But a win in the steel city today will see them secure the regular season crown ahead of early-season leaders Reading Rockets and assistant coach Chris Mayes reckons they can do it.

Mayes said: "We are relaxed, ready and looking forward to it.

"It's like going into an exam now. We know we have the answers but we don't know what the questions will be.

"We just want to to go in there and get on with it.

"We've stuck to the same routine. It's just a normal game.

"When we win, it will be part one completed and then we go on to part two, which is the play-offs."

Sheffield were the latest team to leave Thunder agonisingly close to silverware.

They beat Gary Smith's men in the final of the National Trophy at the Brighton Centre a year ago.

Thunder also suffered last-gasp defeat at Sheffield in the semi-finals of the National Cup last season.

And the Arrows were the last team to beat Thunder in the current campaign, back on January 14.

Big-scoring Noah Brown and smooth shooter Tucker Cain are their dangerous Americans.

Mayes added: "We saw them against London United and sometimes they take bad shots, though that never happens against us. We seem to bring the best out of other teams.

"We've got to respect their two Americans and their running game. We've got to get our hands up on every shot.

"But if we work hard on every offence I think we will win."

Guard Steve Gayle, a survivor from that lone National Trophy triumph in 2004, reckons the 128-121 home defeat to Sheffield has no bearing on today's game.

He said: "We were playing differently then. We've gelled since that game.

"We didn't know how everybody was going to play back then. Now we've got a set five who start and do well and everybody off the bench does a job.

"People at the club know we have missed out a few times. We've been to finals and semis and lost them.

"But we've been playing well. We need one more win and we are thinking about taking care of the 40 minutes and winning the game."

Gayle will head back to Worthing after the game hoping to celebrate with his team mates.

But he will get good backing from the north west as friends and family from his native Manchester add their voices to what should be decent support from Sussex.

After 12 straight wins, Thunder are on a high, not least after last week's amazing 152-64 demolition of poor Kings Lynn.

Gayle was one of five players to score at least 20 points for a Thunder team who kept setting new goals to keep themselves motivated.

He added: "That was our bit of fun towards the end of the season. In some games you can't do that. This one is all about winning the league."

Genesis Brighton Bears are running out of margin for error in the race for BBL post-season action.

Bears' run of three straight defeats has left their hopes of a top-eight finish in jeopardy.

They visit Milton Keynes Lions tomorrow (4pm) knowing the hosts are also desperate for wins.

Bears could still finish sixth, and avoid a trip to Newcastle or Scottish Rocks in the quarter-finals.