Its close, but not close enough for the Dragons.

Bradford Dragons entertained Team Newcastle University in the Dragons’ Den on Saturday evening, however their hospitality stretched too, far with Newcastle taking a well-deserved win, despite a brave fourth quarter come-back by the Dragons.

When the two teams last met, in the early season National Trophy pool stages, Bradford ran out as easy winners, 51-88, at Newcastle University’s Sports Central. However, the North Easterners have since strengthened their roster and went into the weekend having won three of their last four fixtures.

Bradford’s American big-man, Ricky Fetske won the tip-off for the hosts, setting off Rihards Šulcs to open the scoring with a two-point jump shot. This was immediately cancelled out by Tosan Evbuomwan and then a Ben Seipt three gave Newcastle their first lead of the game. 

A few minutes later, the Dragons were ahead themselves (10-5), following scores from Šulcs, Fetske and Andreas Lycoudis. However, the lead was short lived, as the visitors took control of proceedings. At the end of the first quarter it was them that held a six-point advantage (17-23).

Once again, Šulcs sank the first score of the second period, but Newcastle responded with three unanswered baskets of their own to put the gap into double figures (19-29). The Dragons fought hard, and never let their guests get out of sight, however too many missed shots (39% accuracy on the night) seemed as though it was to be their undoing, whilst, at times, Newcastle seemed to be sinking three’s for fun.

With just a minute of the half remaining, Newcastle led by eleven points (27-38), but last-minute baskets from Jermayne Laing and Rafi Saipe, either side of an Evbuomwan lay-up, plus a couple of free throws from Fetske limited the damage to just seven, at the half.

Déjà vu at the start of the second half, saw Šulcs once again put the first points on the board and the rest of the third quarter also seemed to follow a similar pattern to the other two. With just over four minutes of the penultimate period to play, Newcastles lead was extended to thirteen points, thanks to a two-point jump shot by Seipt. However, once again the home side managed to pull out a few baskets towards the end of the period to set up a tense final ten minutes, with the two teams separated by just nine points (47-56).

And what a final period it was, with the Dragons finally managing to find some form. This time it was Allie Fullah that scored the first points of the quarter with a spectacular dunk, whilst drawing a foul at the same time. Fullah made no mistake with the extra free throw and suddenly it looked as though it was game on.
Šulcs was then fouled by Newcastle captain David Hanson, and he made no mistakes with his two shots from the line to bring the deficit down to just four. The visitors were yet to open their account in the final period when Šulcs popped in another layup to bring the scores to within a single basket (54-56). 

​It took Newcastle three minutes to get off the mark, but Seipt finally added to their total with a lay-up of his own.

A couple from the line, by Fetske again reduced the deficit to two points, but Alei Wol was on hand to respond for the visitors. Šulcs brought it back to just two, and then Fetske sent the home crowd into a frenzy when he levelled the scores, at 60-60, with three and a half minutes on the clock.

A minute later, things got even better, when Saipe drew a foul off Evbuomwan, sinking his two shots to give Bradford the lead for the first time since the opening four minutes of the game.

The fans joy quickly turned to despair, as Team Newcastle firstly levelled the scores and then regained their lead. With time running out, the Dragons were forced to give away fouls, tactics that rarely seem to work, as was the case here, with the guests making few mistakes from the line.

For all of their efforts in that final quarter, the game was lost in the first with the visitors heading back to the North East with a six-point win (66-72).

Šulcs led the way for the Dragons, not only hitting a game high 21 points but also registering his customary double-double with 11 rebounds. Laing contributed 16 points to Bradfords total, with Fetske being the only other Bradford player in double figures, with 10 points.  

Evbuomwan spearheaded the Newcastle offence, hitting 20 personal points, whilst captain Hanson also made a significant contribution, with 18 points.

Coach Mellor declined to comment after the game.

This Saturday, the Dragons travel to the capital, for a fixture against Thames Valley Cavaliers, who sit just two points behind Bradford in the league table.

The following weeks fixture, at home against Essex Leopards has been postponed, due to their involvement in the National Cup semi-finals the following day. However, the action is back in the Dragons’ Den on Saturday 15thDecember, when the current league leaders, and the only currently unbeaten side, Team Solent Kestrels, will provide some more stiff opposition for Bradford.


Photos © Alex Daniel Photography