Eastbourne boss Glenn Martin believes his side made a point by winning at National League champions Birmingham.
Now he wants them to finish the job by lifting the Gold Cup.
Eagles won 47-43 at Perry Barr in the first leg of the final last night. The return takes place at Arlington on Saturday.
Brummies kept hope flickering by outscoring their visitors 14-4 over the last three races but Martin said: “It was brilliant.
“We really wanted to win here because we feel we were the better team all year.
“The job isn’t done yet but it’s a solid start.”
Georgie Wood was arguably the star of the show, riding high and wide to pass opponents and record three wins.
Bradley Wilson-Dean struggled with a knee injury but Eagles’ superior strength in depth saw them through.
Home duo Adam Ellis and Tom Perry combined for 5-1s in heats 13 and 15 but Daniel Spiller passed Jack Smith on the line in heat 14 to deny the hosts a hat-trick of maximums.
Eagles look set to face Cradley in the final of the Knockout Cup after they won 51-39 at King’s Lynn in the first leg of their semi last night.
The Sussex side have already lifted the National Trophy this season..
Birmingham: Ellis 15 (5), Perry 11+2 (5), Ayres 8 (5), Smith 7+1 (7), Kirby 2 (4), Basford 0 (3), Chapman r/r.
Eagles: Wood 12 (5), Owen 10 (4), Hopwood 8 (5), Andrews 6+3 (5), Wilson-Dean 5+2 (4), Spiller 3+1 (4), Dugard 3 (3).
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