THE Cheshire Jets face a massive cup tie against a depleted Newcastle Eagles side at the Northgate Arena on Sunday.

They could open up the BBL Cup draw if they eliminate Fabulous Flournoy’s dominant Newcastle Eagles in the quarter-final.

But Paul Smith knows that defeating a team they haven’t beaten for three years and who have won 47 of the sides’ 84 meetings will be tough.

The Jets will have had a day of rest after making the trip to Sheffield to face the Sharks tomorrow evening while the Eagles also play the Sharks on Saturday, a fact which may play into the Jets’ hands.

“We move and share the ball well,” said Smith. “But Sheffield and Newcastle represent big challenges.

“They both play great defence and both play good team basketball. There’s no doubt about it, this is a big weekend for us.

“All results are important,” he added.

“Every win counts – titles and play-off spots are won and lost just as much at this stage of the season as any other so we have to go into both games fully committed.

The Jets are searching for their first title since they topped the BBL Championship in 2005 and Flournoy is expecting a tough match after the Jets ran the Eagles close in their opening-day encounter.

“This weekend is going to be a difficult one,” he said.

“Playing against Cheshire, who are an explosive team, the day after Sheffield is going to be difficult as our bench isn’t as deep as it usually is.”

The Eagles have lost to both Everton Tigers and Guildford Heat this season and Smith will be aware that there is a chance the Eagles’ superiority may now be under threat, opening the door for the Jets to take their first shot at some silverware this season.