Eagles brought down by Beast from the East
WORCESTER GAME A VICTIM OF WEATHER
WITH “The Beast from The East” still raging and Storm Emma about to ride in on the back of it, Newcastle Eagles took the sensible decision to cancel tonight’s BBL Championship game at home to Worcester Wolves.
The continuing severe weather warnings gave the club little choice – although it did send its apologies for any inconvenience the decision may have caused.
However, it was felt that the welfare and safety of its customers, staff, volunteers and players must come first.
The early notification of postponement also meant that opponents Worcester would not face what could have been a very arduous journey from the South West, and they were appreciative of the early decision.
Further information will be released in due course regarding the rearranged fixture date.
For one Eagles player in particular though, tonight’s postponement was a double blow. After his fine performance last week in the victory over Leeds when he kicked up a storm to help down the Force, Croatian Jure Gunjina had been looking forward to tonight’s clash against the Wolves.
“It was a much-needed win last week because of our three-game losing streak at home, and I think we responded really good even though we played a team from the bottom of the table,” Gunjina said. “As far as it went for me, it felt really good to get some solid playing time and I am glad that I was able to produce the right way, it should help boost up my confidence as well.”
With Terry Martin being out with injury, Zarko Jukic on international duty with Denmark, and captain Darius Defoe limping out of last week’s game early, the Croatian forward delivered a 17-point, seven-rebound, eight-assist and two-block performance.
And he added: “We were shorthanded, but it wasn’t no extra pressure really, I am a part of the team and always ready to step up when it’s needed. It’s really important to be able to deal with the adversity throughout the season.
“Hopefully it’s a beginning of a winning streak for our team, and personally I just try to continue to stay on track with all the assignments given and play hard on the court.”
There’s no doubting that Gunjina possesses real talent but hasn’t always earned – or been given – the opportunity to show that. He did last weekend and hopes it will stand him in good stead for the games to come.
“It might have been one of my best performances so far when it comes to statistics,” he said, “but I won’t be satisfied enough because we just beat Leeds, there are a lot of challenges in front of us in the near future.
“We are expecting to lose at least a couple of the guys for a stretch of five-six games due to international call-ups and the rest of us guys will have to step up.
“It is the final part of the season and it can be the turning point for all of us in the positive direction.”
Gunjina may have had the chance to continue his good form taken away from him by the UK weather, but he knows he and his team-mates must be ready for the challenge ahead.
He said: “If we continue to share the ball like we did against Leeds we can be unstoppable in the games to come.”
That next game time is scheduled for Friday, March 9 when Plymouth Raiders will be the visitors to Northumbria University’s Sport Central, with tip-off at the usual time of 7.30pm.