The Newcastle Eagles survived an extremely tough encounter with a talented Essex Rebels side to eventually force their way into the Play-Off Semi stage after a great game of basketball. It sets up a game in Sheffield next Sunday against The Hatters for the right to go to the O2 on Sunday May 18^th.

A win over Sheffield would mean Newcastle equal the run they made last season to the Play-Off Final where they ultimately fell short against the all-conquering London Lions. But before they think about Sheffield they can look back at pride at a great win after another determined effort in front of a big home Vertu Motors Arena crowd.

The Eagles had beaten Rebels twice in the regular season by twelve points at home in December and then by five in March on the road in Essex. But that Newcastle side had a considerable input from star forward Tierra Hodges who had double-doubles in both games.

Hodges though for the third consecutive game was confined to a watching cheer-leading brief from the bench as she struggles to recover from an injured ankle. It left many wondering if Newcastle could find the will, determination and personnel to counter her absence and take another win.

In the end they did add all three factors together to come up with a winning formula that extends the season at least for another week. Will Hodges be part of that week. That remains to be seen but she can watch on knowing her teammates have found a way to win without her.

For that Head Coach Chloe Gaynor can thank her backroom staff and more importantly her players for showing the kind of preparation and commitment it takes to win big games. Once again Newcastle had great all-round contributions from all who entered on-court and great support from those off it.

This is a team effort for sure but there also has to be a huge nod in the direction of the starting five, Jada Guinn, Kendall Currence, Shannon Hatch, Lauren Saiki and Abby Lowe who scored all but six of the Eagles 90 points.

The SBL Player of the Month for April Guinn was once again nothing short of sensational contributing 24 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists to take the MVP honours on the night. Currence her ‘new’ partner in crime had 22 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists in another great supporting role.

Then there was Hatch and Saiki who both added 16 points a-piece with Hatch adding 4 rebounds and 3 assists and Saiki adding 4 assists and last but not least Lowe who had 6 points and 3 rebounds and played her usual stellar defensive role.

Captain Zoe Willis who had her minutes curtailed by foul trouble, veteran Rachael Bland and rookie Lyric Swann all seeing meaningful court time that enabled Gaynor to rest her starters when needed to keep the flow of the game fresh and concentrated.

But make no mistake about it, Essex were tough and deserve huge credit for their efforts and how hard they made Newcastle work. In fact, they took the first two tight quarters and then drew the third to still lead by two points going into the final period.

That’s when the Eagles soared to new heights and tore through the Rebels defence time and time again with one huge decisive run that turned the game massively and gave them the platform to fly through to the semi-final showdown with Sheffield.

The first ten minutes saw both teams in combative mode with Rebels charging into the first significant lead of the game to be up by 6 points at 18 to 12. Back came the Eagles with Hatch nailing a triple to level things up at 20-points all.

It was nip and tuck from there but Essex took the first period by a single point at 24 to 23. The Eagles though scored the first six points of the second quarter to take the lead and although Essex kept battling were still in front at 37 to 35 when the Rebels bomb squad came to town.

Back-to-back-to-back triples by Claire Paxton. Lauren Park-Lane and Cameron Taylor Willis suddenly had Essex up by seven and they looked like holding a good advantage to take into the locker room at half-time until Eagles scored the last five points of the half to only trail by two at 46 to 44.

The third was a quarter of two halves! Essex coming out the brighter and sharper initially and actually taking the biggest lead of the game at 55 to 46 with a 9 points to 2 opening salvo. Once again Newcastle had to dig deep and dig deep they did.

So much so that they managed to get the gap back to where it had been at the start of the period, Essex up by two and taking a 63 – 61 lead into the final ten minutes of the game. That was when things changed and Guinn in particular along with Currence took over.

With the Rebels leading by 3 points with 6:39 to go Newcastle produced their best basketball of the night at both ends of the floor. in a brilliant almost three minute period they scored 15 unanswered points and suddenly with 3:47 to go they lead by twelve at 80 points to 68.

The Rebels had been quelled. It was now about game and time management and the Eagles under the promptings of point guard Saiki had more than enough to not only hold the visitor’s at bay but actually to increase the lead to 14-points at one stage, 90 to 76.

Only two late triples from Essex trimmed the gap to single figures but by then Gaynor and her players were already in celebratory mood and knew they had secured the win they coveted and another chance to take on the Sheffield Hatters who are the only side Newcastle have yet to beat this season.