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After having to wait a full three weeks since their momentum win by 92 – 73 over Essex Rebels in The Vertu Arena on the 1^st of November, The Newcastle Eagles finally return to WSLB Championship action on Saturday night with another home game.

This time it’s the London Lions who provide the opposition and a vastly improved Lions side that didn’t win a game in the last campaign. London have already registered a league win this season 68 – 63 over Nottingham Wildcats but lost last time out two weeks ago against Oakland Wolves 71 – 93.

Gaynor is well aware that she wants her team to feed off that win over Essex and build momentum in the Championship but she’s also frustrated that her side have had to wait so long to play again.

“It has been frustrating as we definitely saw our best game yet against Essex with regards to executing and playing the way we want to play. So, to have that three-week break has been tough as you want to ride the high of that win.”

“The team have been really good in this period in working through the actions we’ve set and trying to build on the identity and the standards that we set for ourselves in that Essex game.”

Despite not playing in The WSLB the players by in large will not be ring rusty as Gaynor explained.

“The majority of the team apart from two play in BUCS games and Grace Rae has been playing for Eagles Under-18s so they’ve all still been playing still been practicing. They’ve not missed a beat with regards to playing games it’s just The SLB that has been missing.”

So, London Lions stand in the way of Gaynor’s Eagles raising their Championship record to two wins no losses and she spoke about the work that Lions have done to be more competitive.

“Lions coaching and backroom staff did a good job of recruiting over the summer and they’ve definitely added more pieces to the players that contributed well last year like Monique Esbrand and Macy Spinks.”

“They’ve definitely got more pieces and are much more of a threat so we have to be aware of the roster they’ve put together.”

Gaynor is sweating on the fitness of one or two players but knows her squad are ready for the challenge ahead and whoever she has on-call will rise to the occasion.

“I’ve said to the team that they must not go outside of themselves and just do their role. We don’t need them to be anything more than what they are. It’s about sharing the load and making sure we play as a unit.”

“We have to emphasize playing team basketball. One of our strengths is our versatility. We need to lean into that strength and putting each other into areas for success.”

“Those who may be out with injury play a massive role with regards to the energy and feedback they give and supporting those on the on the court.”

Tip-off at The Vertu Arena is at the usual time of 7:30pm on Saturday for what is an eagerly awaited encounter.

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