The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks are set to face defending champions, Newcastle eagles, in the first game of their SLB Trophy campaign tonight.

They travel to Newcastle tonight before welcoming the Caledonia Gladiators at the Canon Medical Arena on Sunday.

The Sharks met the Eagles just last Friday, with the Newcastle side taking a 68-80 away win.

“Its a chance to bounce back in a new competition after losing last week,” said a spokesperson for the team.

Ahead of this weekend the Sharks said: “eighty minutes of crucial basketball awaits as all eyes are on silverware – the road to Birmingham begins!”

Sharks coach, Atiba Lyons, told the Yorkshire Post: “You get those games in a season where you don’t come out with the same intensity and we were probably a bit too complacent after a good run.”

The Sharks currently sit joint second in the SLB Championship table, winning seven of their 12 games so far this season.

Lyons’ squad won the SLB Cup last season but were unable to qualify for the trophy.

Image Courtesy of the Sheffield Sharks