Rachael Bland has revealed confidence is coursing through the Newcastle Eagles camp after the club finally snapped its four-game losing streak.

Chris Bunten’s side returns to action at the Eagles Community Arena tomorrow buoyed by a brilliant overtime win against derby rivals Durham.

And Bland insisted the hosts should be too good for cross-border rivals Caledonia Pride despite slipping to a surprise defeat against the Scots last month.


“Everyone is buzzing,” said Bland. “We needed the win against Durham and we needed to register a victory at our new home.

“We’ve had a fantastic week of training and it’s a very happy camp right now. Confidence is soaring and everyone has a smile on their face.”

Even a win for the Eagles in tomorrow’s final WBBL Trophy North One group game is unlikely to be enough to send Newcastle through to the competition’s knockout stages.


But Bland is only focused on squaring the series with the Pride following a 14-point loss in Edinburgh three weeks ago.

“I suppose every team has its day and that was their day,” she added. “We let them get off to a flying start and gave ourselves too much to do.

“But if we can start strongly and play as we mean to go on then I’m convinced we have too much for Pride.

“We’re going into the match believing we can win.”


The Trophy clash (3pm tip) will be preceded by a girls’ basketball camp and it is hoped a bumper crowd will back Bunten’s side in their quest to claim successive wins.

It looks likely that Georgia Ohrdorf will continue her recovery from concussion with more minutes off the Newcastle bench following last weekend’s staged return to action.

And Bland added: “Georgia is just so positive and infectious in everything that she does.

“She’s trained all week and it’s great to have her back. She’s such a character and she has that typical Aussie determination.”

Coach Bunten returns to the bench following his scouting trip to America and should be able to pick from a fully fit squad.

Tip-off tomorrow is at 3pm and tickets are £5 and are available to purchase in advance or on the door. It’s just £2.50 for BBL season ticket holders with their half-price entry discount to all WBBL fixtures this season.

Everyone attending the WBBL game this Sunday is also able to watch the BBL team in action away at Manchester Giants which will be shown live on the 75-inch screens in the Eagles Community Arena’s hospitality suite and bar. The men’s game tips-off after the women’s final buzzer at 5pm.