Following the cancellation of Saturday’s scheduled pre-season fixture against Caledonia Gladiators due to the opposition’s illness and injury worries Newcastle managed to arrange a behind closed doors friendly against last season’s quadruple champions, Sheffield Hatters.

With both sides due to start their Super League Basketball (SLB) seasons next weekend this was an opportunity for them to test their rosters, flex their muscles and get some valuable court time into their legs. It proved a worthwhile outing for both teams in what was a great game of basketball.

The Eagles went into the game with new forward Polly Storie through injury and Natalie Cernhorska still recovering from last season’s long-term ailment was suited up, but not risked with Newcastle’s opening game away at Leicester Riders only a week away.

The Hatters for their part were without ex-Eagles guard Jess Eadsforth-Yates, but did include ex-Eagles MVP Tierra Hodges in their ranks. Hodges having moved to Sheffield following last season at Caledonia.

The game was played throughout in a highly competitive spirit and given that it is still preseason for both rosters there was also a real physical element to the contest with all players on either side showing full determination and drive. It made for a riveting and entertaining spectacle.

There were never more than 8 points between the sides as they went through the quarters showing the closeness of the game. The lead changed hands 19 times through the 40 minutes and was tied on no fewer than 7 occasions.

The Eagles had their best run of the game in the second period when down by eight at 30 – 22 they produced 13 unanswered points to lead by 35 – 30. Sheffield coming back to within a point by the half-time interval with the final four points of the half.

This was after a first period where Newcastle just shaded the action and the scoring by 19 to 17. The third quarter was a real humdinger and battle. Eagles were up 47 – 40 at one stage before Sheffield reeled eight points to regain the lead.

A lead they built upon in that third and were looking good going into the final period up 55 – 47. Newcastle though did not go away or lie down easily. They came right back at Sheffield in the fourth and not only levelled the game but sneaked in front momentarily.

The final period swayed back and forth. Newcastle though right down the stretch just allowed Sheffield the tiniest bit of breathing room to get the job done. The Hatters getting over the line in the closing stages to take a very keenly contested by a narrow margin of 4 points.

Promise though indeed for Head Coach Chloe Gaynor her staff and the players against an opposition expected to be right at the sharp end of business. They forced Sheffield into 27 times and also came away with 16 recorded steals which set their tone defensively. Encouraging stats.

Sheffield for their part won the battle of the boards comfortably at both ends to the floor and just had enough down the stretch to take a well-earned victory. It was a great game of basketball that really could have gone either way.

For Newcastle Cordasia Harris did as she had done last week at Caledonia and led the team in scoring with 20 points. Harris was also Eagles biggest rebounder with 7 boards taken. Other significant scoring efforts came Grace Rae, a career-high 12 points in an impressive display.

Whilst Jaykala Johnson and Nala Williams whom both started added in double figure returns with 11 and 10 points, respectively. For Sheffield new forward Rachel Cockman had 18 points, Laycee Drake netted 17, Hodges had 16 and the returning Nina Krisper had 13.

A game where both coaches Vanessa Ellis for Hatters and Chloe Gaynor for Eagles will both have taken a lot of positives from as well as seeing the areas where they would look to improve upon. But on the evidence of these 40 minutes both coaches will look forward to next week’s opener.

Tickets for the Sunday 11 October 5pm home game vs Nottingham Wildcats are available from the box office now.