It’s two wins from two games for new Eagles Head Coach Chloe Gaynor after her players put in a solid all-round performance against a London Lions side that are a pale shadow of the all-conquering pride of the last few seasons.

Coming into the game Gaynor had made her players aware that whilst a home win was very much on the cards it had to be earned, their opposition had to be respected and sport can sometimes throw up some very strange results.

Newcastle’s players responded to that call and produced a home win that delighted a really big crowd inside the Vertu Motors Arena. It was pretty much plain sailing throughout the 40 minutes for Gaynor’s charges who showed a togetherness that is testament to their tight-knit mentality.

And once again it was great to see the improvement of rookie USA imports Jada Guinn and Kendall Currence who led their team in scoring during the game and had great individual rewards for their efforts. It meant that Tierra Hodges for once did not anchor the side although she still played well.

Hodges was the third Eagle in double figures and was joined by Shannon Hatch. The Swiss International being particularly influential in the first two quarters where Eagles laid the platform for their dominant win.

Lauren Saiki and Abby Lowe also providing experience, balanced and measured contributions on a night where Gaynor was able to rotate her bench throughout the 40 minutes and give all her players that were available meaningful minutes.

As with most games it was tight early on as Lions started brightly and were still in the contest. Indeed, a Kian Omer-Jones triple actually gave them their first lead at 7 points to 6. Unfortunately for Coach Michael Hanson-Morris’ team it was to be the only time they led.

Hodges netted a two-point basket to restore Newcastle’s lead to commence a 10 – 0 run that was the first nail in the Lions coffin. The Eagles closed out the first period with a double-digit advantage afterwards to lead by 24 – 12 by the end of the ten-minute stretch.

From there it was merely a question of continuing to finish when they could and restrict Lions at the defensive end. Lions did have a better second period but their youth and inexperience really showed at times and they ended the half 53 points to 32 down.

Eagles continued the separation and extension of  their lead in the third by doubling the quarter score at 28 – 14 before making it a clean sweep of all four periods with a low-key 18 points to 7 return to complete a good night’s work and take a second successive league win.

Guinn was exceptional. Her 27 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 steals rightly earning her MVP honours. Currence a real spark off the bench with 21 points, 7 rebounds and 4 steals. Add in Hodges and Hatch’s good supporting contributions of 18 points, 7 rebounds and 16 points, 4 rebounds.

It all added up to a big Eagles win. Gaynor will know and no doubt remind her players that there are tougher tasks and challenges ahead of them. But two wins from two games is an excellent building block as they contemplate and look forward with confidence to the rest of the season ahead.

Tickets for our Eagles next encounter on Saturday 14 December are already selling fast with fans looking to grab their seats for the game that, if this streak continues, could see an all-important top-4 finish to end the year and secure qualification for the SLB Cup Semi-Finals.

Book your place now on the box office.