WORCESTER Wolves head coach Matt Newby will want to take last week's first-half super show into Friday night's BBL Cup semi-final first leg.

Wolves tackle Leicester Riders at the University of Worcester Arena (7.30pm) after a 93-75 BBL Championship opening win over Surrey Scorchers at home last Friday.

But Newby admitted he wasn't as content with Worcester's performance during the second half.

He said: “It was a good way to open the league.

“In the first half we really asserted ourselves and showed a good level of discipline on the whole.

“I’ll be critical about the second-half performance because I think we were a bit loose with aspects of play.

“You can’t assume it’s done with a team like Surrey. They’ve got the players, the pedigree and a good coach.

“It’s not easy for a young team but we took our foot off the gas.”

Recent signing Amir Williams and Cortez Edwards both claimed double doubles in terms of points and rebounds.

Williams was named in the league's week 12 All-Star Five after shining on his BBL Championship debut with 21 points and 19 rebounds.

The 6ft 11ins Michigan native has previously played for Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA Summer League.

Edwards was on the All-Star Five bench.

On Williams, Newby said: “With respect to Surrey, there were some advantages for Amir on the interior.

“Ultimately he’s a pedigree player.

“We’re in this to contend this season and Amir is a great asset to bring in.

“He’s a very humble, young man who has played at the very highest level and he’s bringing a little bit extra every game.

“I’ll be pleased to see how it looks in two or three weeks when he’s got a feel for the tempo of the league.”

On the cup game against last season's BBL play-off winners Riders, Newby said: “It’s the best of the best.

“Coach (Rob) Paternostro prepares his teams incredibly well. He does an incredible scout of individual personnel in your team.

“We have got to be mindful of that and understand we have got to read the game at a higher level.

“We’ve got to play at a different tempo and be more consistent in terms of our possessions.

“We got scrappy (against Surrey). It’s a maturity thing.

"I can’t take anything away from my lads’ effort, we’ve just got to have a stronger mindset when runs are made, mistakes occur or calls don’t go in our direction.

“I’m looking forward to it. You want to pit your wits against the best, the boys want to play against the best and currently Leicester are the benchmark.

“We need the gym rammed. I think it will be a full house but we need everyone in full voice.”

It is the first time Wolves and Riders have met this season but Leicester won the previous five meetings.

The second leg will be in Leicester on Friday, January 3.

Wolves travel down to M5 neighbours Bristol Flyers for more league action this Saturday (7.30pm).