Eagles 6 & 0 and Still Going Strong

Newcastle Eagles are sitting pretty at the top of the standings with a super six wins from their opening six games, including a victory against London Lions whom they host at Sport Central tonight.

But, despite being favourites to take a seventh straight success, the Eagles should heed the warning which has been fired across their bows by Lions’ head coach Vince Macaulay who is adamant it will be a very different game to the first contest.

“Our last match-up was just too soon for us,” insisted the play-caller.

“We lost our way very early on, but I was pleased with how we persevered and came back into it during the second half.

“We are going to enjoy this game because we will just be able to go and play flat out.”

In fact, both teams are likely to be going at full tilt since it’s the only game they will both play this weekend. Lions will certainly have been hoping for a better start to the campaign and keen to establish some momentum after their move to South London, but now face the real prospect of a 1-5 start unless they can pull out a surprise win on Tyneside.

UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders have played fewer games than anybody else in the BBL Championship so far, but look far from undercooked. Indeed they have really impressed during their two victories so far, and there will be a real edge to their match up at home to Cheshire Jets.

That’s because former Jets duo Matt Schneck (pictured) and Colin O’Reilly will both go up against their ex-employer for the first time since their summer switch from the north-west, whilst Chez Marks returns to the Pavilions with Raiders’ head coach Gavin Love warning of the danger he can pose.

He said, “The Jets have some BBL veterans, together with some young exciting talent so you know they are going to be competitive every night.

“And, with guys like Chez Marks who can go for thirty on any given day, you have to be ready!”

It will be really difficult for Jets who suffered a grossly disappointing weekend last time out. They were subjected to two blowouts, so an improved performance at the very least is likely to be on the agenda of Chez Marks, who will be acting as the Jets’ stand in coach.

The third unbeaten team along with Eagles and Raiders is Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders and they have a potentially tricky double-header lying in wait which will test their flawless record. They face Worcester Wolves tomorrow night who have shrugged off their sluggish start to find some form.

On Sunday, Riders must then make the trip to the north-east to face Durham Wildcats at Newton Aycliffe. Whilst the hosts only have one win to their name, they have proven very stubborn in home games since they came into the league a little over a year ago, so Rob Paternostro and the Riders will have to be well prepared.

Before Wildcats host Riders at Newton Aycliffe, they may actually have doubled their win tally for the season. For they make the relatively short trip to winless One Health Sharks Sheffield tonight, very much eying a vulnerable home side who are yet to win. Both teams can be confident of getting a result although the onus will be on the Sharks to prevail after four defeats in their first four games.

One club on the slide is Manchester Giants, although their losing streak could have ended last week in the BBL Cup. But, they were edged out in dramatic fashion by Glasgow Rocks. Jeff Jones and his Giants team will however be highly confident they can get back on an even keel and winning ways with a victory over struggling Mersey Tigers this evening.

Lastly, one of the most attractive fixtures of the entire weekend will happen at Surrey Sports Park on Sunday where a buoyed Glasgow Rocks will be the visitors against a Surrey Heat team which has harvested an impressive four wins from five league games so far.

Enjoy the games!

Story – BBL
Photos – Russell Hart