Newcastle Eagles although under strength produced a great team performance to take down Cheshire Phoenix in the Vertu Arena on Friday night 108-97. Aussie guard Mitch Clarke who had 17 points in the game gave his reflections on the win.

“It was a high paced high tempo game. Cheshire always like to get out and run in transition, and it was a tough battle. After a disappointing second quarter it was a really good team win to come back and get that one.”

“Giving up 57 points was far too many in the first half especially as we showed in the first five minutes of the game that were able to get stops. We were able to get runs and went up big, but they were able to rally and get the game back on their terms.”

“It was really good mentality from us to lock in in the second half, and it was a high calibre win. The ball was pinging around everyone was getting their looks and shots. It was a great confidence builder for everyone that was in the rotation.”

“At the end of the day everyone is happy for anyone to score the ball, and it ended up being successful for us tonight.”

Playing with only seven in the rotation is very demanding and asked a lot of the players and Clarke explained how they and he just about managed the game.

“Physically it’s a lot more difficult. I was on the verge of cramping in that last quarter. Having an extra two bodies in the rotation would make a big difference.”

“We’ve got some super talented guys waiting on the sidelines really keen to get back into the rotation. When they’re ready, we’ll be more than happy to welcome them back in.”

“We’ve had a lot of high character wins when we’ve been undermanned this year. We’ve showed we can compete even though we haven’t got the size and strength of some teams.”

Clarke also stressed the importance of the win and looking to build on the last two very good team performances and wins as they prepare to go into Bristol on Sunday afternoon.

“It was a good win before the international break against Surrey good win now against Cheshire it’s really important for us to regroup and get another one on Sunday against Bristol. That’s going to be tough away.”

“If we can do that then I think the ball is going to start to roll and hopefully we’re going to peak at the right time of the year. It will be difficult but we’re professional athletes so we’ve got to know what we’ve got to do to get our bodies right.”

“We’ll travel on Saturday so hopefully when we get there, we’ll be able to flush our legs out and have the day in Bristol on Sunday. It’s not like we have to jump off the bus and have to play a game straight away.”

“That’s our job so we’ve got to make sure our bodies are right for it and we’re ready to go out there, keep the run going and hopefully bring home what would be another very important win.”

Newcastle’s Sunday tip-off in Bristol is at 3:00pm in the Wyse Arena as the Eagles look to take down a team that have already beaten them twice in the SLB Championship this season at the Vertu Arena. Clark and his teammates are keen to try and overturn that on the Flyers’ own court.

The game is free to watch live on DAZN.