Paul Blake, the Newcastle Eagles owner and chairman of the British Basketball League, may have overseen his last showpiece occasion as the incumbent of two energy-sapping roles after yesterday’s BBL Cup final. His team were beaten 69-66 at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham as the ageing Milton Keynes Lions claimed a first trophy in their franchise’s history.

“I don’t see myself in both positions in the long term,” Blake said. “It’s something to look at in the close season. I don’t find it any easier juggling my duties as league chairman and Newcastle owner and there will come a time when one job becomes more important than the other. At some point we need to appoint an independent chairman.”

Newcastle, leaders of the BBL and the winners of seven domestic trophies in four seasons, looked every inch the favourites as they surged into a ten-point lead within seven minutes. But a two-pointer on the buzzer from Peter Heizer reduced the deficit to four going into the second quarter and that basket proved to be the catalyst for a comeback from Milton Keynes.

The Lions led by five points at half-time, Tony Windless, the veteran forward and former Newcastle player, sparking the revival with four successes from three-point range. Kevin Griffin, the guard, maintained the momentum with four three-pointers in the third period and Milton Keynes took a 57-45 lead into the final quarter.

However, Charles Smith provided the inspiration for a 12-3 run to open the fourth period as the Eagles trimmed the lead to three. A steal and subsequent basket from Andrew Bridge, the England guard, brought the Eagles to within a point with a minute remaining. But Mike New, the former Newcastle forward who turns 40 next month, stayed cool from the free-throw line to seal the win.

For Blake there has never been a greater need to put his club before the league and get back to restoring the Eagles’ reputation.

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