Esh Group Eagles Newcastle 92 (15,44,76) (Fletcher 21, Chapman 15, Defoe 13)
London Lions 84 (12,37,64) (Williams 19, Watt 17, Lewis 15)

Esh Group Eagles Newcastle moved to a four-game unbeaten start to the season as Rahmon Fletcher’s 21 points led them to a 92-84 victory over London Lions. The Eagles now hold seven consecutive wins against the Lions who, amazingly, have not won in Newcastle for twelve years (December 2003).

Something had to give in this game, as both sides came into it unbeaten, and the hosts set about establishing themselves early on as an 11-0 tear, in which Fletcher scored 7, gave them a 15-6 advantage. Lions got back in it by holding the Eagles scoreless for four minutes, but Newcastle would never trail in the game.

It was settled around the half time break, as Darius Defoe and Fletcher powered the Eagles to a 44-35 lead just before half time, before they opened the third quarter with the first seven points in what had become a 14-2 spell. Fletcher added four more as a double-digit lead was reached at 51-37.

The lead peaked at 90-71 on Scott Martin’s score, and the Eagles were not threatened late on. Fletcher added 7 assists to his 21 points, while Defoe supported with 13 and 11 rebounds.