Cup of cheer for domestic Eagles.

Byline: By Simon Rushworth

Welcome to the new blueprint for English basketball. For the final five minutes of a fixture Newcastle dominated from start to finish, those who have followed the domestic game for the last decade could have been forgiven for believing the on-court action was simply a dream.

Four Eagles players, all born in England, joined rookie import Frank Bennett in controlling the tempo against a Leicester side boasting BBL veterans Joel Burns, Michael New, Steve McGlothin and Stedory Baker.

If flu-ridden player-coach Fabulous Flournoy needed a boost before tomorrow's potentially tough Cup quarter-final at Chester, then witnessing Newcastle's commitment to homegrown talent coming to fruition in front of another packed house must have done the trick.

Whether following the battling Andrew Bridge as he covered every inch of the Eagles' homecourt, or marvelling at the mercurial Andrew Sullivan on his long-awaited home debut, this was proof, finally, that English basketball is not the sole preserve of American imports.

Teenage forward Darius Defoe and audacious guard Perry Lawson completed the quartet of domestic talent which stretched Leicester's veteran professionals to the limit and both BBL rookies are clearly destined for future success.

"For those of us fortunate enough to be at Newcastle right now it's a great time to be English and a great place to play," admitted former Villanova college star Sullivan.

"The Eagles are giving homegrown talent a chance and other franchises have got to follow suit.

"Nobody will ever take this league seriously until more players born here begin to impact upon the BBL."

For Newcastle's ambitious managing director Paul Blake, ensuring Sullivan remains at the heart of the Eagles' roster must be a priority.

Talks are ongoing between the impressive forward's representatives and club officials aimed at securing a long-term deal. But many more performances like last night's and European basketball's big guns will be battering down Sullivan's door with the kind of lucrative package no BBL team can hope to match.

A lack of finance remains a problem as owners seek to promote English talent in the British league but for now Newcastle fans can bask in the glory of their high-flying Eagles.

A fifth successive win ( an opening night defeat against Scottish Rocks remains the only blot of Flournoy's copybook this season ( keeps the pressure on runaway leaders London.

And the Eagles have no reason to fear old foes Chester tomorrow (5pm) despite the imminent return of Jets' influential centre Calvin Davis.

Leicester may have arrived on Tyneside as the BBL's bottom club but in New and Burns the Riders boast two of the better Americans to have plied their trade this side of the Atlantic.

Newcastle, of course, can point to three outstanding imports of their own and Bennett, in tandem with veteran guards TJ Walker and Jeremy Hyatt, laid the platform for a convincing victory.

The Eagles led by five points after a tight first quarter, but the home favourites had extended their advantage to 20 points midway through the second period. Newcastle were 22 points ahead at the half and 33 points up with 10 minutes to play. Cue the English-inspired encore.

"It was very satisfying to see those young guys enjoying their basketball out there," said Flournoy. But the old heads will need to be at their best if a cup semi-final spot is to be secured.

TOP SCORERS

Newcastle: Hyatt 24, Sullivan 16, Smith 15, Bridge 14.

Leicester: McGlothin 25, New 18, Burns 12.