Dragons finally dunk Saints
Bradford Dragons maintained their winning start to the new EBL division 3 [north] season with a 70 – 61 home win against Sheffield Saints. Playing against a Saints team that beat Dragons twice last season, the game started slowly with the scoreboard stuck at 2 all after 5 minutes as both teams struggled with their offence and played tough defence.
With Dragons guard Daumants Pabrieza subbing in to add more firepower, Dragons pulled head to a 12 – 4 lead at the end of the first quarter. With back to back treys from PD Dohar and a spectacular two handed put back dunk from Kravalis, Dragons forged ahead to 20 – 7 when Saints veteran player coach Garnet Gayle called a time out. This sparked a Saints run of 8 points but Dragons still shaded the quarter to lead 33 – 22 at half time.
In the third stanza, ‘Big Bird’ Wilson caught the eye for Dragons with 2 points from the charity stripe and a back door lay up for a further 2. Dragons took the third quarter thanks to a 3 pointer on the buzzer from the half way line by Omet to lead 56 - 43.
In the final quarter, both sides continued to play strong physical defence but with Saints 6’10’ man mountain Rik Marsh and then Dragons Pabrieza fouling out with 3 minutes to go, Saints won the quarter 18 – 14 but Dragons held on to win 70 – 61 at the close.
Coach Chris Mellor said after the game, ‘We are still not playing our best but we were always in control of this game. I was happy with our defence throughout the game and to hold Saints to 61 points was a great team effort’
For Dragons Dohar [15], Liebman [13] and Wilson [10] were top scorers.
Subject to the completion of emergency repairs to the court, Dragons play their next home game against local rivals Bradford Maroons in their new lair at Bradford College Sports Hall, Trinity Green campus, Trinity Road [entrance via Little Horton Lane], Bradford BD5 0JE on Saturday 18th October at 6.15pm. Entrance is £3, concessions £1.50p.
Dragons Chairperson Stuart Culliford said, ‘Beating Saints was something of a milestone for us as we lost twice to them last season. Whilst it is pleasing to have two early league wins and a cup win, it is still early doors and next Saturday away to Durham Wildcats will be tough as they have recruited well in the off season and are stronger than when we beat them last year.
We then return the following week for the biggest game in the Bradford basketball diary, the local derby game of Bradford Dragons v Bradford Maroons. In the last 3 seasons we have played each other, we have both always lost our home games so this will be the tough game. We will have to play at our best to be able to compete with them. Whatever happens it will be a cracking local derby game of basketball and one not to miss’.
For further details contact Stuart Culliford on 0781 661 0600 or email info@bradforddragons.co.uk or visit the Dragons website at www.bradforddragons.co.uk