THE most exciting game of the season so far at the Northgate Arena saw the Cheshire Jets almost end Newcastle Eagles' unbeaten streak - but afterwards coach John Lavery was unable to contain his frustration.
His disappointment in 15 turnovers by the Jets was valid as it did contribute to their loss, but the players gave more effort on the court than home fans have seen all year and they did it for the most part knowing there were no replacements coming on from the bench.
The Jets started very strongly, building a 20-14 lead and extending that by half time to 42-35. In the second quarter however came the blow that was to have a ripple effect for the rest of the contest.
Centre Matt Schneck, who had scored six points and made eight rebounds in just 14 minutes, landed awkwardly on his right leg and after treatment by the Jets' physio he was ruled out with a suspected serious sprain.
He remained on the sidelines to spur his teammates on but was ruled out of the rest of the match. With Shawn Myers still struggling to overcome a groin problem it left Lavery with Phil Brandreth as the only experienced player he had on the bench.
So from midway through the second period until the end of the game the Jets could not rest their players by subbing them out as they were forced to take on the might of the BBL Championship leaders.
But take them on they did. Bill Cole's post play was immense for most of the game as he made a game high 24 points and nine rebounds.
Keith Page provided 19 points and Brown 17 and some of their interplay was incredible to watch as the Eagles slowly reeled them in with some fine shooting from Joe Chapman and Charles Smith.
Brandreth gave another great account of himself, nailing a key three-pointer and applying pressure defence, but the Jets ran out of gas and at the end as they slipped behind their efforts to rush things to get back on top in the dying seconds allowed the Eagles to seal the result.
But afterwards Lavery's focus was on the effect losing possession had on the result.
"We turned the ball over 15 times and got out-rebounded," he said. "There's things we need to be doing out there, simple things that we need to correct which if we don't, it's going to be a long season for us.
"In that first half we could have been up by 20 at one stage, we've just got to cut out the stupid, silly mistakes. I'm far from happy with that performance.
"It's very very simple. We're averaging 15 turnovers a game. If they can convert them that's 30 easy points on a two-point average. If you go three it's going to be a lot more.
"Apart from painting it on their foreheads there's not a lot more I can do to drum it into them. They need to realise what they are doing wrong and put it right quick."
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