Newcastle Eagles 83, Guilford Heat 90

Sep 22 2007 by Dan Warburton, The Journal

FAB Flournouy’s new-look Eagles roster spread their wings for the first time last night – but BBL giants Guildford Heat swiftly shot them down in a tight 83-90 victory.

Newcastle new boys Richard Midgley, Charles Smith and Lynard Stewart joined the Eagles’ ranks for their first outing under the bright lights of the revamped Metro Radio Arena, but they failed to show the pedigree that surrounded their hyped-up move to Tyneside.

And if the first heavyweight clash between these two teams was intended as a statement of intent for the new season, then it was Guildford who drew first blood.

The two teams have collectively scooped nine of the last 10 pieces of BBL silverware, and, on the merits of this closely-fought game, the new campaign will be in a similar vein.

It was the Newcastle old hands that led the Eagles’ charge towards a tight 22-21 advantage at the end of an energetic first quarter. Newly-appointed skipper Andrew Bridge shot six points in eight minutes and Olu Babalola notched up eight points in the second quarter.

But for the offensive prowess of Guildford powerhouse Carlton Aaron, the half-time score-line may well have been more flattering for the home side than the 39-39 deadlock.

It was the man who terrorised the Eagles defence in last year’s BBL Trophy Final who hit seven first-quarter points.

And while the threat of Aaron was somewhat quelled in the second, team-mate Mike Martin took the baton to add five points to his first quarter tally of six.

It was in the third quarter that Eagles really lost their grip on a game they had controlled from the off. Emerging from the half-time interval, a 12-point Eagles’ tear looked as though it had sealed the game.

But after chipping away at the Eagles’ lead it was the Heat who then posted 12-points without reply in the final period, blowing the game wide open and turning the deficit into a five-point lead at 68-73.

Daniel Gilbert’s spectacular basket run cushioned the advantage, as he went on to collect a game-high score of 22 points.

Former Newcastle favourite Tony Dorsey added back-to-back points from the free-throw line and open play to condemn Newcastle to a dispiriting loss.

TOP SCORERS

Newcastle: Bridge 17, Stewart 13, Babalola and Defoe 10.

Guildford: Gilbert 22, Martin 15, Dorsey and Williams 12.