After racing away to a barely credible streak of seven consecutive wins at the start of the season, Superleague newcomers Waterford are now spiralling in another direction following three defeats in a row. However, no one in the club is in a state of panic. Coach Michael Evans always knew that the dizzying experience they enjoyed at the top of the table for the first two months was the stuff of dreams and not a reflection of their true aspirations.

Greg Allen "We knew that it had to come to an end but it was still very disappointing when it happened a fortnight ago against Marian as it was one of those games when the ball just wouldn't drop for us and we still only lost by six," said Evans yesterday as he prepared his team for a home match with second-placed Killester tomorrow.

Waterford entered the game in the knowledge that the early impetus gained during their first seven weeks of the season was all but removed by the subsequent back-to-back defeats by St Vincent's and Star of the Sea last weekend.

"You have to remember that our players have only one full season behind them in the national league and they came up against some of the biggest stars of Irish basketball in the two games last Saturday and Sunday," Evans is quick to point out.

A win over Killester in Waterford tomorrow night would certainly restore some momentum and do themselves and the whole league a favour, as the north Dubliners are the form team at the present with only one defeat from their nine league games.

The other big match of the weekend is on Sunday in Belfast, where the leaders, Star of the Sea, play Neptune , who have worked their way back up to joint third place in the table. With home advantage, Star will be favoured to win, but Neptune will be highly motivated, as they cannot afford to lose any more ground in the title race.

Struggling Tolka Rovers may have a new American, Johnny Foster, for this evening's televised game in Tallaght. If he gets his clearance in time, he will more than likely take the place of Seth Schaeffer.

In Sligo Robert Bree has taken over the assistant coaching duties from Martin McGettrick.

In the ESB women's superleague tomorrow, the leaders, Wildcats, are at home to Killester in a match that the Dubliners have to win to curb the dominance of the Waterford women who have won their last 29 games at national competition level. Killester's cause, though, was severely set back this week by an Achilles injury to June Blount, which has ruled the Irish international out.