The Newcastle Eagles came out firing in the final game of the SLB Championship, energised by their home crowd as they built a nine-point lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Gladiators responded in the second, finding their rhythm in a fiercely contested, back-and-forth period. By the half-time buzzer, they had turned the game on its head to edge ahead by three, in a contest that fully lived up to its “Battle of the Border” billing.

The intensity carried into the second half, with neither side willing to give an inch. The Gladiators managed to stretch their advantage, but the Eagles continued to fight back, keeping the gap within two possessions. Heading into the final quarter at the Vertu Arena, the visitors held a narrow four-point lead.

It was in the fourth quarter that the Gladiators truly took control. A decisive run saw them open up a 10-point cushion with five minutes remaining, and from there they never looked back. Despite the Eagles’ efforts, the deficit proved too much to overcome.

The Gladiators closed out a commanding 19-point victory to cap their 2025/26 Championship campaign in style.

Attention now turns to the SLB Playoffs, with the Gladiators set to host Manchester Basketball in the first round next Sunday, May 3rd, at Playsport Arena.

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