Newcastle Eagles have won their fourth league title in five years, thanks to the Sheffield Sharks going down 97-95 to Worthing Thunder, who themselves have secured eighth spot in the BBL Championship, and a tie with the Eagles in the Play-off Quarter Finals. This was thanks to a 97-95 win over second-placed Sheffield Sharks, as Reggie Bratton’s 26 points paced them to victory.
Whilst the Thunder, who are the only team to beat the Eagles in 2010, beat Airwaves Plymouth Raiders on Sunday in Raiders coach Gary Stronach’s last game in the post, the Eagles had victories this weekend against Marshall MK Lions on Friday (121-84), and Glasgow Rocks (78-91).
The Rocks will no doubt be looking to put this weekend behind them ahead of the Play-off Quarter Finals, as they not only lost out to the Eagles, but were also beaten by Everton Tigers 97-78 on Friday night. The Tigers then completed a satisfying weekend, as they beat Essex Pirates 86-108 on Saturday evening. For the young Pirates, the Everton defeat was followed by a 99-62 loss to Cheshire Jets. The Jets now sit in fourth spot, and Head Coach Paul Smith will be a happy man after not only defeating the Pirates and gaining revenge for a defeat against them earlier in the season, but also for his side’s convincing 57-85 win over PAWS London Capital, who also went down 116-63 to Sheffield Sharks on Friday evening.
Although they won both of their games at the weekend, Worcester Wolves have now officially lost the battle with the Thunder for that final Play-off place. Wolves heaped misery on the Raiders, as they proceeded the Thunder’s defeat of the Devon-based outfit by beating them 100-84 on Saturday night. With the Raiders also losing on Sunday to the Thunder, the Wolves sneaking past Guildford Heat with a 96-98 win, and the Heat missing out 86-79 to Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders on Saturday evening, Plymouth and Guildford have finished the regular season on the same record, with Plymouth finishing in tenth and Guildford in eleventh as the Raiders hold the head-to-head.
The weekend’s results mean that the BBL Quarter Finals are confirmed, beginning on Friday as Newcastle Eagles welcome Worthing Thunder, as Dave Titmuss’ side look to get their third victory over the Tyneside outfit this season, and Sheffield Sharks host Marshall MK Lions. The excitement continues on Sunday, as Glasgow Rocks take on Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders, and Cheshire Jets entertain Everton Tigers as the Merseyside derby resumes.
Source: www.bbl.org.uk
