Blog Archives

Dragons win at home but suffer defeat in Essex.

27/11/2016

Bradford Dragons experienced mixed emotions during a double header weekend, which saw them take an emphatic victory, against third placed Loughborough Student Riders (95-76), in the Dragons Den on Saturday evening, but then lose at struggling Essex Leopards (83-79) the following afternoon.

For Saturday’s opponents, Loughborough, this is their first season in the top flight of the National Basketball League. However, despite their inexperience at this level of the game, they started the game from third place in the table, two places and two points ahead of their hosts.

Bradford, having lost their last three games, two of which were against the current league leaders, Team Northumbria, were in no doubt, before the game that this was going to be another stern test of their playoff credentials.

The Dragons opened the scoring and quickly opened up a five-point lead (9-4), before the Riders showed why they are where they are, not only levelling the scores (9-9) but going on to open up a nine-point lead of their own (13-22).

But that was as good as it got for the visitors, and by the time that the first quarter drew to a close, it was the Dragons that held another five-point advantage (29-24).

Dragons breathe Smoke, not fire, in double header weekend!

22/11/2016

Over recent weeks, Bradford Dragons have served up a plethora of great results and an abundance of high scoring fixtures. And, whilst it could be said that the latter was still the case, the results in the weekends double header did not go in the Dragons’ favour, falling to defeats against Team Solent Kestrels (96-108) in the National Basketball League division one on Saturday and then to Team Northumbria (82-92) in the National Cup quarter final on Sunday.

Saturday’s visitors to the Dragons Den were newly promoted to the top echelon of the National Basketball League following a hugely successful 2015/16 campaign in which they claimed the division two title. This time around, they have made a steady start to their first year in division one, having won two and lost three prior to the weekend.

The Dragons started the game with pace and fluidity, quickly opening up a lead on their visitors and finishing the opening quarter eleven points ahead (29-18).

But that was about as good as it got for the hosts, as gradually the Kestrels fought their way back into the game. As the buzzer sounded to call half-time, the Dragons’ advantage was down to just four points, at 51-47.

Defeat for Dragons in North Eastern Thriller!

14/11/2016

Bradford Dragons' run of seven straight wins came to an end on Saturday as they travelled to Newcastle to face current league leaders Team Northumbria. In a hard-fought contest, the Dragons just missed out on victory number 8, with the home side taking a 94-91 victory.

Prior to the weekends fixtures, both teams had only lost one league game, however Northumbria sat two places above Bradford, courtesy of the fact that they had played one game more. And, whilst the Dragons boast the most potent offence in NBL division one, they also have one of the leakiest defences – high scoring games are therefore almost guaranteed.

Northumbria won the tip-off and opened the scoring within the first five seconds of the game, however it was a further minute and a half before the next points went on the board, with Rafi Saipe levelling the score for Bradford, who were donning their new kit for the first time this season. The score remained tight through the first five minutes of the game, however the hosts then took control of proceedings and closed the opening period with a ten-point lead (24-14).

Dragons rocket to seven straight wins!

8/11/2016

Bradford Dragons’ rich vein of form continued with wins at Westminster Warriors, 87-98 and against Reading Rockets, in the Dragons’ Den, 102-96. The victories take Bradford’s winning streak to seven games, a feat that the club has not achieved since the 2013/14 season.

The Dragons made the journey to London, on Saturday, to face Westminster Warriors, just two weeks after the two had met in the reverse fixture in the Dragons’ Den, which Bradford had won comfortably, 121-93.

It was the Dragons that held a slight advantage at the end of the first quarter, ahead by a single point, 15-16, a lead which was extended to eight points, 34-42, when the teams left the court at half time.

The Dragons turned the screw in the third quarter, extending their lead to eighteen points and despite Westminster winning the final quarter, they could not prevent Bradford from taking the victory, 87-98.

The Bradford Dragons Basketball Community Foundation

3/11/2016

Bradford Dragons Basketball Club are delighted to announce the launch of their charitable arm, The Bradford Dragons Basketball Community Foundation (charity number 1169913).

The charity will help the club to run its junior teams and also significantly enhance the work it is able to do in the community. This will help us to get more young people involved in the game and encourage more people in the area to lead active and healthy lives.

This is a massive step for the Dragons and a very welcome development following our application to the Charity Commission for charitable status.

Jo Addie, Director of Fundraising at the club, said: “We couldn’t be more pleased to have been awarded charitable status for the Bradford Dragons Basketball Community Foundation. This will help the club to be able to run more community schemes and support our junior sides to the best of our ability. It will also help us significantly in our fundraising efforts. I’d ask everyone involved with the club to get behind this and help to support us in any way they can”.

More exciting news about our charitable work and projects will be released throughout the season, so keep your eyes peeled for developments!