Pride restored as Bunten’s girls bid to build on a first home win

RACHAEL Bland says confidence is coursing through the Newcastle Eagles’ camp after the club finally snapped its four-game losing streak.

Chris Bunten’s side return to action at the Eagles’ Community Arena tomorrow buoyed by a brilliant overtime win against derby rivals Durham.

Bland insisted the hosts should be too good for cross-border rivals Caledonia Pride despite slipping to a surprise defeat against the Scots last month.

She said: “Everyone is buzzing. We needed the win against Durham and we needed to register a victory at our new home.

“We have had a fantastic week of training and it is a very happy camp right now. Confidence is soaring and everyone has a smile on their face.”

Even a win for the Eagles in tomorrow’s final WBBL Trophy North One group game is unlikely to be enough to send Newcastle through to the competition’s knockout stages.

However, Bland is only focused on squaring the series with the Pride following a 14-point loss in Edinburgh three weeks ago. She added: “I suppose every team has its day and that was their day. We let them get off to a flying start and gave ourselves too much to do.

“However, if we can start strongly and play as we mean to go on then I am convinced we have too much for Pride.

“We are going into the match believing we can win.”

The Trophy clash (3.00 tip-off) will be preceded by a girls’ basketball camp and it is hoped a bumper crowd will back Bunten’s side in their quest to claim successive wins.

It looks likely Georgia Ohrdorf will continue her recovery from concussion with more minutes off the Newcastle bench following last weekend’s staged return to action.

Bland said: “Georgia is just so positive and infectious in everything she does.

“She has trained all week and it is great to have her back. She is such a character.”

Newcastle Eagles’ BBL season ticket holders are guaranteed halfprice entry to all WBBL fixtures this season and matchday tickets will also be available on the door.