Dragons start season in style with double win
Bradford Dragons kicked off the new season in EBL division 3 season with an away win against Wolverhampton 73 to 49 on Saturday, followed by a second road win on Sunday in the first round of the National Cup by 80 - 56 away to EBL division 4 new boys Hull Wasps.
Against the Black Country University of Wolverhampton team, Dragons restricted the Wolverhampton offence to 13 points as Dragons pushed ahead 20 – 13 at the end of the first quarter. The Dragons defensive grip on the game strengthened as Wolves could only score 7 points in the second quarter to leave Dragons in front 37 to 20 at half time. Dragons stretched their lead in the third stanza to lead 52 – 31 with a 2 point success by new French point guard Ben Omet on the buzzer.
With Dragons Coach Chris Mellor taking the opportunity to give new players extended minutes and running the bench, Dragons defensive grip slackened in the last quarter but they still managed to win the fourth quarter to finish the game 73 to 49 ahead. Coach Mellor said after the game,’ Although we were scrappy at times, this was a competent performance and a good start to the season. We did well to hold them to under 50 points but there is plenty of room for improvement’.
Dragon’s foreign legion top scored with Latvian Daumants Pabrieza and American Jake Liebman both on 15 points and Hungarian Istvan ‘PD’ Dohar on 12 points.
On Sunday, playing in the Gemtec Arena away to Hull Wasps in the first round of the National Cup, Dragons struggled to find their rhythm but still managed to grind out an 80 – 56 away win at Hull Wasps.
Dragons were ahead 22 – 12 at the end of the first quarter and 48 – 25 at the half. Giving away to many turnovers and losing concentration, Dragons took their foot off the gas to tie the third quarter 14 all and narrowly win the final stanza 18 to 17 against a spirited Hull Wasps team to win 80 to 56 at the close.
Top scorers for Dragons were Istvan ‘PD’ Dohar on 18, Ben Omet on 17, Jake Liebman on 12 and Craig ‘Big Bird’ Wilson flew in with 10.
Dragons play their first home game of the season against Sheffield Saints in their new lair at Bradford College Sports Hall, Trinity Road [entrance via Little Horton Lane], Bradford BD5 0JE on Saturday 4th October at 6.15pm. Entrance is £3, concessions £1.50p. Dragons Chairperson Stuart Culliford said, ‘Whilst it is pleasing to have two away wins on the first weekend of the season, next Saturday will be a much tougher test for us. Saints narrowly beat us home and away last season, finishing second in the division. Although they turned down promotion to division 2 for financial reasons, they will be a very strong team and they come to Bradford on the back of convincing Cup and Shield wins and an emphatic league win against the much fancied Mansfield Giants. We will have to play at our best to be able to compete with them. Whatever, happens, it will be a cracking 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