Bridge: It’s never easy at Northgate

Newcastle guard Andrew Bridge isn’t looking forward to Sunday’s game at Cheshire – as he believes the Northgate Arena is one of the toughest places in the BBL to play at.

Northgate has been home of the Jets since 1993 and holds up to 1000 fans, although recent upgrades to league requirements has threatened its presence in the top flight of UK basketball.

Before Christmas, it was revealed that funding had been approved for an £11m replacement for the ageing EPIC Leisure Centre, which would include a new home for the Jets, in Ellesmere Port.

But for now, Northgate remains the home of the Jets, and it is one of the more intimidating venues to play at in the BBL, according to Bridge.

He said: “Jets gave us probably one of our hardest games of the season so far. But that was a long time ago, and we haven’t seen much of them – even on tape when we’ve scouted other teams. But people say they have been playing much better in last month, and it’s always a tough game there.

“I think I’ve never had an easy game there in my whole career.”