HEAD coach Paul James hopes Worcester Wolves can make home advantage count against Sheffield Sharks as they try to avoid “blowing” their chances in the first leg of their BBL Cup semi-final tomorrow night (7.30pm).

Wolves have struggled over two legs in recent years, often leaving themselves a mountain to climb after heavy opening leg defeats.

Last season they beat Plymouth Raiders and Newcastle Eagles at home in the semi-finals of the BBL Trophy and the BBL play-off respectively.

But the damage was done on the road as they went out on aggregate.

However, James believes playing in front of their fans at the University of Worcester Arena first could work in their favour.

“It could work to our advantage as we could go out there, have an exceptional game and put the tie beyond doubt,” James said.

“That’s probably not going to happen but we have got to go out there, play as hard as we can and try to limit their scoring.”

Wolves, who are bidding to reach a final for the first time since they won the BBL play-offs in 2014, travel to Sheffield for the second leg on Wednesday, December 20.

“Sheffield are quite a big team,” James continued.

“They have got some guys like Mike Tuck — a real leader for them — and Zach Gachette who has got some good experience as well.

“They are the sort of people we have got to take out of the game.

“We did that against Plymouth last weekend as we really went after their big guys and got them into foul trouble.

“If we can do the same again against Sheffield then it’s going to make our life a lot easier.”

James added: “Our aim is to get to the final and we have got a great opportunity of doing that.

“We have got to make sure we don’t blow that chance in this first leg like we have done in the past.

“We have got to be really focused on controlling the tempo of the game and making sure we are in the tie come what may.”