Newcastle Eagles entered November in similar vein as they left October with a superb 99–92 road win up in East Kilbride Scotland against one of their closest rivals the Caledonia Gladiators. In doing so they boosted their Super League Basketball (SLB) record to 6-wins and 3 losses.

A record that gives them second place in the league standings and one richly deserved after negotiating another tough double header weekend. But this time unlike the last two when they went 1 – 1 they were able despite being understrength to take both wins on the weekend.

No Kyle Carey and no Cam Christon once again but it was heartening to see both on the bench helping head coach Marc Steutel and his coaching staff with their sideline support. A real sign of the togetherness and spirit this Eagles side is showing this campaign.

Those qualities were needed in abundance in what was a titanic tussle between two very committed and competitive sides that both had their chances in the game. Gladiators taking the first half and indeed the final quarter too. But points-wise Eagles took the second half decisively.

Down five points at the half Steutel’s side came out of the locker room in the third in magnificent fashion and showed all the Eagles DNA and standards that the Head Coach is looking to install into his player’s traits.

The five-point deficit was completely turned around in a powerhouse performance in the third when not only did the Eagles come back, they soared into a 15-point lead at one stage. It was the ten-minute stretch that in the cold analysis of the day was the one that counted the most.

That was because it enabled them to just about control the Gladiators determined final quarter push which got the home side back level on two occasions but not back in front as they lost discipline and a cool composed Newcastle side held their nerve in the closing stages.

It was breathless pulsating stuff that had the crowd up on their feet at times. The large very vociferous Newcastle away support raising the rafters as they also played their part roaring their favourites home with a huge road win.

The first ten minutes it appeared that neither side could get a defensive hold to slow the other down and a real score fest took place. Gladiators’ transitional offence causing Eagles problems as well as some unerring three-point shooting.

But when you have the likes of Tavis Smith, Cole Long and Blondeau Tchoukuiegno in your starting five and Mitch Clarke as well as Trevond Barnes and Josh Ward-Hibbert coming off the bench Steutel has the firepower to combat that, and his side answered bullet with bullet.

Newcastle did in fact lead 25 – 19 late in the first quarter but Al-Amir Dawes scored all nine of a late Gladiators 9 – 2 charge that edged his side in front by the end of the opening period and gave the home side a little bit of momentum.

But Ward-Hibbert and Barnes against his old club restored the Newcastle lead before Caledonia produced ten unanswered points to give the Gladiators the biggest lead of the game at that stage 38 – 31.

Tchoukuiegno stopped the run with a deuce and Smith added five more to bring the sides back level and then it was an offensive toe-to-toe battle to the half-time buzzer that just about went the way of Caledonia who finished the half on top and took a 54 – 49 lead at the break.

Whatever Steutel said to his side in the confines of the locker room certainly had a galvanising effect as the Eagles flew out of the blocks when the game recommenced. Cole Long started it with back-to-back triples and combined with tough defence Newcastle were suddenly in the groove.

Over half of the third played and an astonishing 19 to 4 Eagles run with scoring from all over brought them firstly back level and then soaring into a double-digit lead. Gladiators finally responding with four points to get the lead back to single digits.

Steutel called a time-out and his players responded to it by unleashing another 11 – 2 run out of it that had them up 79 – 64. Gladiators netting four late free-throws but still facing a double-digit gap as the sides went into the final quarter.

Clarke hit back-to-back triples and again the Eagles led by 15 as the final quarter unfolded. But Gladiators refused to go away and found the resolve to haul themselves back into the game and tie it all up as time ticked down.

Foul trouble though was now the home side’s nemesis as they had no fewer than five players foul out of the game as their aggressive efforts to turn the game finally floundered. Newcastle by comparison remained disciplined and calm during the storm.

A combination of Barnes, Tchoukuiegno and Clarke netting seven free-throws inside the final minute to finally see the Eagles over the line and complete a fantastic double winning weekend. It was certainly some effort from a side that just seems to have a real determined will to win.

Cole Long and Mitch Clarke had 20 points to lead the team with Clarke adding 5 rebounds to take the MVP honours on the night. Tavis Smith had 18 plus 6 assists. Trevond Barnes also 18 with 9 rebounds to haunt his old club on Halloween weekend.

Blondeau Tchoukuiegno led the Eagles in rebounds with 11 completing a double-double as he added 16 points and also dished out 6 assists. But all including captain Josh Ward-Hibbert, Adam Hamilton and Sauver Kande played their parts in a thrilling hard-earned team victory.