Recap
Newcastle Eagles V Sheffield Hatters
Newcastle Eagles welcomed Sheffield Hatters to the Vertu arena for the third and final meeting between these sides this season. Against a familiar Hatters team, the Eagles knew it would be tough fixture.
The first quarter started off with the both teams taking some time to get going however the Hatters seemed to settle into the game first finding their feet and scoring a number of times without reply to take an early lead. Toward the middle of the first quarter the Eagles settled into the game and with some good team work managed to score some baskets and bring the quarter to an end with a respectable score line. A vastly improved first quarter compared to the first quarter the last time the teams played each other.
The opening quarter saw the score Eagles 14, Hatters 17.
For the second quarter the Eagles competed well at first and managed to close the score line to within three points, however toward the second half of the quarter the Hatters found their rhythm and opened up a health score prior to half time. The second quarter score saw the Eagles scoring a further 12 baskets to the Hatters 22
The score at the end of the second quarter was Eagles 26 v Hatters 39
After the half time interval the Eagles looked to compete with the Hatters however a number of baskets for the away side without reply opened up a health lead. The Eagles side continued to work hard and create openings however in mirror of the third quarter the last time the sides met, chances didn’t convert into baskets for the Eagles which on another day would have shown that the quarter was more competitive that the score line suggests. The Eagles scored 8 v the Hatters 22
The score at the end of the third quarter was Eagles 34 Hatters 61
Lining up for the 4th and final quarter the Hatters had a health lead however the Eagles work rate and efforts forced the Hatters to continue to playing and press hard. Unfortunately for the Eagles the fourth quarter was similar to the previous quarters where chances would not convert into the baskets.
The quarter finished with the Eagles scoring 8 to Hatters 18.
The final score is Eagles 42 v Hatters 79.
Although the final score was certainly in the Hatters favour, it doesn’t reflect the effort that the Eagles put into the game and the Hatters had to work and press hard to get baskets.
Top Scorers:
Newcastle Eagles
S. Ward – 11pts
D. Bensley – 9pts
R. Donnelly – 9pts
Sheffield Hatters
M. Lowe – 21pts
M. Windle – 13pts
D. Brooks – 10pts
