Jets though were determined not to be shot down and came back strongly and a 10-3 run to close the half saw the sides go in to the locker rooms with Eagles only six in front at 42-36 and it was still anyone’s game.

As the second half unfolded it was Newcastle who once again looked the stronger and got back to 12 in front at 50-38 on Moore’s triple. Another Jets run of 13-4 brought them right back in the game but Eagles held them off and finished the quarter the stronger to lead 69-61 with ten minutes to play.

The two sides then really slugged it out down the stretch as Jets kept closing the gap only for Eagles to re-establish it and when Moore hit five points late on to establish an 87 -79 gap inside the last two minutes it looked all over.

Jets had one last burst and cut the gap to four points before Moore hit a final free-throw to seal the game and the trip to Birmingham.

In the play-off semi-final scheduled for next Saturday afternoon Newcastle will face either Guildford Heat or Plymouth Raiders who play off on Sunday for the right to face the Eagles. Whichever one prevails will give Fab Flournoy and his team a tough test, and the coach will no doubt use the coming week to have the team practised, prepared and ready for yet another tilt at national glory.