The festive fizz and cheer that Newcastle Eagles had created pre-Christmas after their great win last time out against Leicester Riders was shot down and extinguished on Sunday in the Vertu Arena. The Gladiators marched south over the border from Scotland and marched back with a well-deserved win.

“Frustrated,” was the word that Head Coach Marc Steutel used in his post-game summary of the contest. One in which he thought his team lacked their usual toughness which came about because their offence spluttered for long periods leading them to not play defence in the usual style.

Caledonia came in bottom of the standings and having lost their last two encounters this season with the Eagles. However both had been by small margins so Steutel knew it was always going to be a tough game and so it proved.

Whatever momentum his side had picked up after that win over Riders was well and truly halted by a Gladiators side that seemed more energised, focused and determined on the day. Not that Newcastle lacked commitment nor desire, it was just that things really didn’t go their way after a promising start.

In the end they were outrebounded 50 to 33 and out-shot 45% to 38% which were perhaps the two biggest statistical measures of the game. But Steutel and his players will also look to how they only scored 48 points in the first 32 minutes and then finished with 31 in the final eight minutes.

That good start was mainly instigated by Ray’Sean Taylor who was Eagles’ main threat all night and who got off to a flying opening that he personally kept going all game. Maceo Jack, Terrell Burden and Cole Long also netted double figures but in reality a lot of that came too late to make a difference.

One encouraging factor for Steutel and Newcastle was the return to the roster of Gus Okafor after his injury lay-off. Okafor was understandably a little ring-rusty but it was good to see him getting meaningful minutes. If he suffers no adverse reaction it will help Newcastle going forward.

What came after an Eagles start that gave them a six-point lead at 18-12 was unexpected as Caledonia really started to dominate proceedings at both ends of the floor. A 9-3 run from the visitors enabling them to level the game at 21-21 by the end of the first period.

Then inspired by Matthew Ragsdale and the prompting of Kyle Jimenez they continued that run into the second quarter reeling off 12 unanswered points to establish a double-digit lead. Eagles did cut the gap to five at one stage but seven more without reply meant a 43-33 visiting lead at half-time.

Many expected an Eagles backlash and fightback as the second half opened but the Gladiators were again the dominant force and well in control as Newcastle struggled to move the ball fluently and create opportunities.

Head Coach Jonny Bunyan’s players seeming well in control of their destiny as they took the third period by 23-15 to enter the final period 74-48 ahead and leaving the Eagles looking down the barrel at a disappointing outcome.

It got worse for Newcastle before they finally hauled back some pride with a fine ending to the game. Gladiators scoring the first eight points of the final ten minutes to establish their biggest lead of the night at 74-48.

Whether they took their foot off the gas or merely played the clock they did have to withstand a barrage from the hometown Eagles in the last eight minutes of the contest. Suddenly the lid came off the away basket and Newcastle dreamed of a sensational comeback.

But despite pouring in those aforementioned 31 points to finish the game the closest the Eagles got was in the final scoreline. A scoreline that did not flatter Caledonia one little bit and one that left Steutel once again scratching his head looking for answers.

Answers that have to come quickly as the Eagles are on the road south to Surrey on Monday to take on an 89ers side that defeated Bristol in overtime in Bristol on Sunday to take a great win. It just makes it all the harder for Newcastle as they face that victorious Surrey side on Tuesday night.