Esh Group Eagles Newcastle continued their incredible start to their BBL Championship title defence with a 95-88 defeat of rivals Worcester Wolves at Sport Central on Friday.

Fab Flournoy’s side had already made this their best-ever start to a BBL season last weekend, but extended their perfect start to 11 games after coming through one of their toughest tests yet.

Wolves were the only team Eagles failed to beat on their way to winning all four pieces of silverware on offer last term, and it was clear from the outset Paul James’ side would not back down.

But when Wolves’ already short rotation became even lighter after Pavol Losonsky was ejected early in the fourth quarter, Eagles were able to maintain their composure and complete the key plays down the stretch.

Perris Blackwell had 31 points and 10 rebounds as he went to work inside for Wolves, but 20 points from Darius Defoe, 19 from Charles Smith and 13 from Scott Martin ensured the unbeaten run goes on.

Wolves therefore slip to a 7-3 mark, losing ground on Eagles and the 7-0 Leicester Riders in the title race, ahead of Saturday’s home game against Plymouth Raiders.