Dragons Press Release - 9th December 2013

The Bradford Dragons stormed to seven wins in a row on Saturday. A challenging 81-64 home victory over the Newham Neptunes sees the Dragons one win away from top spot. 

London based Neptunes began the game one place behind Bradford in the English basketball league. But top performances by American duo Chris McGrew and Dan Foley established the Dragons as the better side. 

The game began tight 10-7 the score halfway through the first quarter. The quarter ended 18-15 with the Dragons unable to pull away. 

Early in the second quarter the away side snatched the lead with guard Will Ashby hitting his fourth three-point field goal for 22-25. 

Wise words from head coach Chris Mellor off a time-out inspired a huge Dragons response as they went on a 20-9 run to go in at half time leading by eight. 6"10 McGrew proving too much for the Neptunes to handle with 14 points in the half. 

At half time the coaches told the players "we're a team, they're individuals, if we play our defence we can blow them out." 

23-year-old Jermayne Laing began the quarter with fire in his belly hitting five consecutive points including a long three point shot. 

The London side had a brief resurgence, again led by number nine Ashby. A technical foul by Dragon's power forward Vance Silcott gave the Neptunes some easy points. However Bradford remained strong and closed out the quarter leading by seven. 

Newham again showed their quality in the fourth quarter as they pulled back to within one point. In spite of this the Dragons refused to falter as they went on a vital 10-2 run. The final score 81-64 to the Dragons, against worthy title challenging opponents

Next Dragons 1 home game is the crucial National League double header weekend games against Manchester Magic on Saturday 04/01/14, tip off 6.15pm and Essex Leopards on Sunday 5/1/14 at 2.15pm, both in the Dragons Den, Trinity Green sports hall, Bradford College, Trinity Road, Bradford BD5 0JE. Admission is £5 for adults, £2.50 for under 18s, students, concessions etc and £10 for a family ticket [2 adults + 2 children]. Magic and Leopards are both currently battling with Dragons for a top spot in the league

Elsewhere for Dragons, Dragons 3 men were unable to follow up their first win of the season losing heavily 39 – 91 to visitors Bradford Maroons but Dragons U14 beat visitors Oldham Titans 106 – 80 and Dragons U13 stay unbeaten and top of their EBL U13 north division with a 81 – 36 win over visitors Hull Wasps. On Sunday Dragons U14 traveled to local rivals Leeds Carnegie and won 96 - 53

Dragons are grateful for the support of ‘Super Spray Paints’, the Tequila Bar Bradford and ‘Joshila Sports Limited’.

For more details on the Bradford Dragons go to www.bradforddragons.co.uk

Or visit Bradford Dragons for the Community on Facebook

Or follow Dragons on Twitter @DragonsBradford

Jermayne Laing

Chris McGrew

Jermayne Laing