The bad luck that just seems to not want to go away once again dogged the Newcastle Eagles again on Saturday night in Essex. The Rebels taking a revenge win 92-79 from their opening night SLB Championship loss in Newcastle back in November last year.

That luck? Well, Head Coach Chloe Gaynor was delighted to welcome back influential star guard Alyssa Marin not just to her roster but the starting five as well as the improving Alex Campbell to the bench. Both have been out for a while injured so it was good to see them return.

Unfortunately for this game it was powerful forward and one of the team’s leaders Jada Dapaa who had picked up an injury whilst playing BUCS basketball and she was unable to suit up to help her teammates.

The trip to Colchester and the University of Essex is always a long and daunting one and it was clear that the Eagles had not shaken the travel out of their legs as the game got underway. The Rebels charging into an early lead as they caught their visitors cold.

Eagles through the prolific Andrea Daley get their scoring off and running and the dependable Sarah Wells and Marin also got in on the act to help Newcastle begin to find their feet. But by the end of the first ten minutes, it was the Rebel Yell that prevailed by  eight points.

The second period though was all about Gaynor’s side as the sharpened their claws and dug deep into that Essex Lead and started to flow freely on offence. Down by double-digits at 31-19 Newcastle went up several gears and produced a superb 17-4 run to stun the home side.

All of the Eagles that flew onto court were helpful and instrumental in that period as they turned the game around in fine style. Actually, taking a four-point lead at 43-39 into the half-time locker rooms with the momentum seemingly with them.

However, whatever was said in those respective locker rooms the galvanising effect certainly seemed to emanate from the Essex confines. Maria Mongomo did make the first bucket of the second half to give Newcastle a six-point advantage. But then it all unfolded.

An initial 7-0 run from Essex taking them back into the lead. Marin answered with two free throws but then a crucial foul call on Daley that sent her to the Eagles bench gave Rebels an opening that they took with both hands.

An 18-4 burst breaking the game completely open for the hosts as they established a 15-point lead that they would take into the final quarter. Eagles resistant and spirit seemingly broken and the game gone.

So, it proved. Daley did return to advantageous effect and Newcastle showed good determination and resilience to recover from the third quarter meltdown to actually win the final ten minutes. But it was not by enough as Essex saw out the game for a vital win in the race for the top four.

For Eagles Daley was once again sensational. When she was on court her team were in the ascendancy as she recorded yet another double-double of 28 points, 11 rebounds adding 6 assists. Her time off court in that third period crucial.

Marin had a fine return to Newcastle colours with 14 points and 5 rebounds whilst Sarah Wells had a double-double of her own netting 12 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in a solid supporting performance. There was, despite plenty of effort, just not enough support from elsewhere.

The positives Coach Gaynor will take from the game is the return to action from Marin who will only get better with more matches under her belt. Plus, although Newcastle fell to defeat they, courtesy of their 92-73 home win still hold the aggregate head-to-head over a playoff rival.

Newcastle next return to action on Friday 20th March at home in the Vertu Arena when Leicester Riders are the visitors for a 7:30pm tip-off. Gaynor and her players looking for an immediate bounce back and return to winning ways. Tickets are available on the box office.