Newcastle Eagles go into their home Super League Basketball Women’s Championship game at the Vertu Arena against a very tough B. Braun Sheffield Hatters side buoyed by last week’s 105-53 win on the road at Cardiff.

Head Coach Chloe Gaynor referred to that game and her thoughts following it as her side prepare to return to the Vertu Arena for the first time since January 3 when they lost to Oaklands Wolves.

“It was good to get back on the floor and get a win on the board. I think it was important for the healthy players to get time on the floor playing together and build on some chemistry.”

As for the win itself it was an important stepping stone as the race to the play-off spots intensifies and Gaynor was happy with the way her players responded after three consecutive defeats.

“We made some strides with our offense. We found more flow and read the defence well. We also started to play a little more to our individual strength, which has been something we have been highlighting since Christmas,”

However, the Eagles go into the game knowing they are playing perhaps the best team in this season’s competition. The Hatters have already beaten Newcastle twice this season both at home and in the Vertu Arena both times by thirty points.

Back in September last year Newcastle went down to a 61-91 defeat in the Betty Cordona Trophy. A Trophy the Hatters went on to win in Birmingham against the Caledonia Gladiators and then just over a month ago Sheffield repeated that margin with an 88-58 SLB Championship home win.

Gaynor is well aware of their power and challenge as the Yorkshire based outfit look to take a clean sweep of all domestic trophies. Something not many would bet against them doing.

“Sheffield are a tough team. We saw in the final them battle with Caledonia and they played really well. Equally we have only played one game since last seeing them so we’re very aware of what they are capable of.”

Her message about what her players need to do is a simple one but one that should they get it right can undoubtedly give the Hatters plenty to think about. The mindset has to be right from the first tip as Gaynor concluded.

“We have to get going from the jump. We’ve spoken a lot about how we need to get off to good starts and it’s something we’ve needed to improve on as late. If you want to beat a team like Sheffield, you have to play for 40 minutes.”

Having only played the one game in recent weeks has given Newcastle’s players time to recharge and refocus. Some of that being shown last week. Another week of solid practice and hopefully an increasingly healthier and deeper roster should ensure Eagles are ready for such a tough task.

Tip-off in the Vertu Arena on Saturday night is at the usual time of 7:30pm for what is a much-anticipated match-up and tickets are still available in advance on the box office and on the door.