WORCESTER Wolves coach Rick Solvason believes his side will finish their National Trophy basketball campaign with a flourish as they take on Hull tonight at University College Worcester (7pm).

Hopes of a quarter-final spot disappeared last weekend after defeats at Manchester and Teeside -- Worcester needed to win at least one of their away matches to have any hopes of booking their place in the last eight of the competition going into the Hull clash.

However, after the double defeat, Solvason will use the final pool match as vital build-up to their National Division One campaign which begins next Saturday.

"Even though there is no chance of progressing in the competition, the Hull game is a vital one for us," said Solvason.

"We are obviously building up to our first season in National Division One and can take a number of positives out of our involvement in this trophy.

"Teams such as Teeside and Manchester are sides from a league above us and we have shown in the matches that we can play with these guys."

Despite living with the two sides for long periods during Saturday and Sunday's matches, Worcester eventually went down 117-103 in Manchester and 110-82 in the North East.

Ironically, Worcester were actually leading Manchester for long periods in the match and had an 18-point cushion at half time. However, the depth of Manchester's squad eventually told and Worcester ran out of steam.

"That was the major difference," bemoaned Solvason. "They could keep rotating their players on and off the bench and our players were just too tired at the end.

"We were missing a couple of players which didn't help, but after leading up until the third quarter it is disappointing to lose.

"Teeside was a very tough proposition coming straight after Manchester, but again we did well. There is a lot to be positive about and that's the way we are viewing this competition.

"If we beat Hull, we will finish four and four and that would be very encouraging for us after wins against Hull, Liverpool and Manchester.

"We are obviously looking for victory not just because it's a one-off match but because we will play them again this season in the league.

"It's important to get any psychological edge you can and victory would mean we have already beaten them twice."