In the second of two weekend games for the WBBL Eagles, the Vertu Motors Arena will see the first North East Derby of the season get underway this afternoon with the home side looking to put yesterday’s loss to the Leicester Riders firmly behind them.

This game is the rearranged fixture which was postponed in December last year.

The visiting Durham Palatinates also come into the game following a defeat yesterday at the hands of the Sheffield Hatters, so both teams have an added incentive to claim a much need win this afternoon.

The women in black will have a sizeable advantage over the visitors this afternoon, however, with a bumper crowd expected to be the sixth eagle and cheer the home side on to victory.

It’s almost a year to the day that the Wearsiders last visited Tyneside with Eagles number 9 Abby Lowe turning out for today’s opposition.

That game ended in a crushing defeat for the travelling side and Abby and her Eagles teammates will be hoping for a repeat of that result as they continue to keep their play off ambitions alive.

A win this afternoon would put the Eagles level on points with 6th-placed Essex Rebels as they enter the final month of the regular season.

Tickets for the game can be purchased from the box office online in advance or at the arena from doors opening at 3pm.