They say every month brings a fresh challenge and after today’s BBL Cup and Trophy draws conducted live on Facebook, never a truer word has been spoken for our silverware search in the 2018-19 season.

In a draw conducted by BBL veterans Mike Tuck of Sheffield and Andy Thomson of Leicester which was presided over by ‘The Voice of The BBL’, Daniel Routledge, we have been given one and possibly two absolute blockbuster ties at the early quarter-final stage.

Last season we went out at the quarter-final stage of both competitions and if we are to improve upon those results this time we’re certainly going to have to earn it. In The Cup we received a bye to the quarter-finals courtesy of our top four League placing. Our reward? Leicester Riders away.

In The Trophy we have to negotiate a first-round tie at home against Scottish amateurs St Mirren West College for the right to host either Manchester Giants or Leicester Riders at home meaning we therefore could face The Riders twice at the last eight stage in both competitions.

It’s a mouth-watering prospect for the 2018-19 Esh Group Eagles Newcastle and one the squad that we’re putting together will know and learn of just how tough life in The BBL can be after such tough match-ups were drawn.

Exact dates for both fixtures are yet to be confirmed but the provisional schedule would see us taking on the Riders down in Leicester around the 16–18 November.

In The Trophy, St Mirren are scheduled subject to confirmation to come to Newcastle and perhaps our new Eagles Community Arena on Friday 21st December with a potential and provisional quarter-final at home on Friday 11th January.

Those game dates and tip-off times will be confirmed in due course and you can have them added automatically and directly onto your device’s calendar. See our fixtures and results page for more details.

Season tickets include all BBL Cup and Trophy home ties as well as all the Championship game and you can still book your seat for the action in our most monumental year online now.