THE Republik Nightclub Rockets have edged one step closer to back-to-back QBL men’s championships.

And, the confidence within the group is rising heading into Friday night’s semi-final against Northside Wizards after its 85-73 quarter-final win over Townsville on the road on Sunday.

The Rockets travel north to the front the “intimidating” and “passionate” Candle Stick Park faithful on Friday night in pursuit of the 2011 QBL men’s championship title.

Reigning champions the Rockets have won championships in 1996, 2008 and 2010, but are yet to taste victory in consecutive years.

Standing in their way is Gold Coast Blaze NBL stars Chris Goulding, Shaun Gleeson and the Wizards.

“Their record has been very good this year, they finished 12-6 – the same as us, so they’ve obviously played pretty well all season,” Rockets coach Neal Tweedy said.

The Wizards proved too strong for a Rockets team missing stars Stephen Weigh, Pero Vasiljevic and Mitch Philp; winning 86-79 to cap off a three-match losing streak away for the Rockets early in the season.

Since then the Rockets are 12-3 and in blistering form after their 85-73 quarter-final win on the road over Townsville.

With his full contingent of players available, Rockets coach Neal Tweedy’s squad is full of self-belief heading into Friday’s clash on a neutral court.

“We’re going up there now focused on the task at hand,” Tweedy said.

“There’s three games to win in the playoffs.

"We’ve won one of them now on the road, and now there’s two more to win.

“To go and win on an opposition floor in Townsville was a big challenge and we stood up to that, and now we have to do it again.

“Hopefully we’ll get that opportunity come Saturday night.”

Tweedy said the heat was on the Meteors in front of their home crowd, after Mackay suffered its only loss at home this season – a crushing 97-78 defeat at the hands of its semi-final opponents Brisbane Capitals in round five.

“All the pressure is really on Mackay with Brisbane being the only team to beat them at home this year,” he said.

“We have definitely felt the expectations when we won it in 2008 and 2010 because a lot of fans pay their money expecting you to win.

“I’m sure Brisbane’s going up there to make sure that doesn’t happen.”