PLYMOUTH Raiders have frozen home ticket prices for next month's BBL Trophy final.

The city club confirmed yesterday they would be playing the first leg of the final against BBL leaders Newcastle Eagles on Sunday, March 18 at the Pavilions.

Raiders and Eagles meet in an afternoon match, with the tip-off at 4pm.

Raiders then play the second leg up north on Friday, March 23, at 7.30pm.

Tickets for the final go on sale next week, but Raiders' chief executive Dave Briggs made it clear that the Marjon-backed club believed their supporters should not have to pay extra for the privilege of watching their heroes in a final.

Briggs said: "We didn't think it would be right to put the prices up after our fans have been so great this season already.

"We want to pack the Pavilions on March 18 – it's going to be a great game, with a great atmosphere."

Raiders were beaten 115-94 by Eagles in the final of the BBL Cup at the National Indoor Arena, Birmingham and want another crack at Newcastle.

A two-legged final, with one of the legs in front of their fanatical fans, might benefit the city club, who would have to rack up an impressive points total before travelling north to meet Newcastle at Sport Central.

Newcastle get the prized second leg at home because they finished higher in the league than Raiders last season.

Briggs said: "It's a repeat of the cup final, but with the trophy final being played over two legs, it gives us a chance to get the Eagles down here onto our own home court for the first leg.

"With the sell-outs we've had recently and the noise and atmosphere our fans generate at the Pavilions, there isn't a team in the (BBL) league that enjoys coming to Plymouth."

Tickets for the first leg will be on sale to season ticket holders from next Monday (February 20) to next Wednesday.

From Thursday, the tickets go on general sale.

Season ticket holders are being asked to buy their tickets via the box office on 0845 146 1460, or to call in person.

From Thursday, fans will also be able to buy them online at www.plymouthpavilions. com.

The tickets remain at the normal price of £30 for families, £12 for adults and £6 for under-16s and senior citizens.