Garbelotto – Riders and Raiders should have stopped Newcastle clean sweep

Departing Mersey head coach Tony Garbelotto believes Newcastle should have been restricted to just two trophies this season.

The Eagles completed a clean sweep of trophies last weekend, claiming back the league, play-off and trophy titles that Garbelotto won with the Tigers the previous season, as well as picking up the BBL Cup.

But Garbelotto, who commentated on the match for SKY Sports, believes Leicester and Plymouth should have split some of the silverware with the Eagles this season.

He said: “I thought Leicester had a real opportunity to win. Their key players didn’t play well on the day, and the two biggest calls went against Rundles which totally changed what they could do.

“It wasn’t Rundles’ fault, at least one of the calls was terrible, it was no way a foul, he was just posting up. If he’s on three fouls, then maybe the game is changed, but as it was, Newcastle claimed the four trophies.

“I think they deserved to win two trophies, but I felt at least Leicester and Plymouth should have split some others.

“Credit to Newcastle though, they do what Newcastle do, and they needed a team like us (Tigers) to stand up against them. Unfortunately Leicester fell short. You can’t take anything away from Newcastle, they have the big game players, and I think the addition of Andy Thomson and Paul Gause changed the whole complexion of team.”

Newcastle defeated Leicester 71-62 in the season finale at Birmingham, adding to the BBL Cup and BBL Trophy titles in which they beat Plymouth Raiders in both finals.