Newcastle Eagles lost their 100% SLBW record on Sunday at the Playsport Arena, East Kilbride against Caledonia Gladiators 104 – 82. Despite the score line the Eagles were in the game for long periods but a big final quarter from the home side gave them a win.

Newcastle actually led by 4 points at the end of the first period and although losing the second they were still only 6 points down at half-time. Another close quarter followed in the third and with ten minutes to go it was still only a ten-point gap before Gladiators closed the game out.

“I think for a solid portion of the game, we showed that we can be a team that competes with the perceived teams at the top of the table,” said Eagles head coach Chloe Gaynor.

“When we’re at our best, and commit to what we are doing, we are one of those teams.

“I believe in the ability that we have in our locker room and should we unlock our potential we have a very exciting year ahead, but we have work to do in regards to getting to that point. We’ll continue to learn and grow at every opportunity.

“We’ll look at what is working and what isn’t. There was some real positives from today’s game but also some areas where we just switched off or didn’t commit in the way we needed to.

“Overall, it was a competitive game and the scoreline did not reflect what for the most part was a closely contested game. Composure and cleaner execution on both ends of the floor for us would’ve been a very different game.

“These are lessons though, that a young roster like we have need to learn, so hopefully we will see areas of growth in this way in the coming weeks.”

Next up for the Eagles women is the visit of the reigning 4-time SLB champions, the B. Braun Sheffield Hatters, at home in the Vertu Arena on Saturday night with a 7:30pm tip-off.

Tickets are available on the box office.