PLYMOUTH Raiders will bid to end a six-game losing run on Friday night when they travel to eighth-placed Sheffield Sharks (7.30pm).

Jay Marriott’s side are desperate for a victory, not only to return to winning ways but also to keep alive their faint hopes of a BBL Championship play-off place.

If they don’t win at the EIS Sheffield then their hopes of a top eight finish will be all but over.

Sheffield had been on a poor run themselves until last weekend when they beat Bristol 79-70 to end a five-match losing run in the league. The Sharks’ win was largely due to the form of former league MVP Mike Cook, who scored 28 points.

Raiders boss Marriott knows Cook and Sharks will be dangerous.

He said: “Sheffield are starting to find themselves now. The addition of Mike Cook was going to take some time, roles had to be re-aligned in order to get the best from a high-calibre scorer like him.

“It seems to be slotting in for them now so I look for them to make a big push these last few games.”

Cook knows that Sheffield need to finish the season strongly to keep their place in the top eight.

“We have to make this push for the play-offs so our focus has to be on what we are doing from this point on,” said the Sharks star.