‘The Magnificent Seven’ is a world-renowned blockbuster of a Western movie that saw an outnumbered band of men coming together away from their homes to beat a seemingly stronger opposition.

On Friday night the Newcastle Eagles produced an epic performance of their own to replicate tat achievement and take a victory that not many before the first tip would have given them a price for. However, Eagles’ magnificent on-court seven also had a Director on the side-lines calling the shots.

Whatever plan Head Coach Marc Steutel instilled in his troops they obviously took on board as they produced a defensive masterclass and executed to perfection to take a well-deserved double-digit win back to Tyneside.

Sharks Head Coach Atiba Lyons had won the SLB Coach of the Month award for November and his star guard Rodney Chatman III the Player of the Month. But the play-caller and play-marker were denied a night of celebration by a superb spirited and disciplined Newcastle performance.

The Eagles had lost heavily 48 hours earlier against Iraklis in the European North Basketball League and were coming into Sheffield to face a red-hot Sharks outfit. If that wasn’t enough, Newcastle found themselves with only seven fit players to call on. Deion Hammond being the latest injury addition.

But sometimes in adversity a greater character and determination is born. That was certainly the case with Steutel’s charges as they all stepped up superbly. So effective was their defence in particular that not one single member of Sheffield’s starting five could get into double-figures in scoring.

By contrast three Eagles starters did lead by a magnificent MVP performance from Maceo Jack who had a game-high 28 points. Cole Long netting 14 and Ray’Sean Taylor 12. Then there was Mitch Clarke off the bench with an excellent 16-point haul to add support.

Newcastle started well and were up by 11-4 as the game opened. Sharks though bit back and levelled the game up with seven straight points. From their it was nip and tuck to the end of the first period which finished 17-17. Jack with seven and Long with five for the Eagles.

The second was a good one for Newcastle. Sharks took the lead initially but a deuce and then a triple from Jack put Newcastle back on top and from their they controlled the rest of the half. On three occasions they got the lead to 8-points and eventually took a 44-39 advantage into the locker room.

Jack now had 14 and Long 10 to lead side into that half-time lead and they continued to control the game as the third unfolded. That’s when Clarke joined the party in some style. Twice on the Aussie guard’s scores the lead reached double figures and Newcastle forged further ahead.

Clarke’s huge third quarter individual effort netted him 11-points and helped his side to take a twelve-point gap at 69-57 into the final period. Then Jack showed his prowess as a scoring leader for his side. His first two-point bucket of the last quarter peaking Newcastle’s lead at 14-points.

Sharks attempted one final comeback and scored seven unanswered to cut the gap in half. But Jack scored all nine of the Eagles’ final points in a run that saw them seal the deal and take only their fourth championship victory of the season.

A remarkable effort from all involved and one well deserved after a fine all-round team performance. No rest though for these battle-hardened players. On Sunday they travel to Scotland to take on Caledonia hoping to carry this momentum into the Gladiators arena looking for back-to-back wins.