Bradford Dragons unbeaten record came to a sorry end this weekend as they were beaten by two other undefeated teams. The Dragons were torn apart at Derby Trailblazers (116-93) on Saturday evening and then comprehensively beaten by a clinical Worthing Thunder (78-98), in Sunday’s National Cup fixture, in the Dragons’ Den.
The Dragons travelled to Derby with a 100% record in all competitions, so far this season. However, the Trailblazers were also unbeaten in the league thus far and made a real statement of intent when they signed the leagues former Most Valuable Player, American Malcolm Smith.
Ricky Fetske won the jump ball, leading to three-point basket by Andreas Lycoudis. Smith responded almost immediately with a lay-up but then a combination of scores from Rihard Šulcs and Ricky Fetske put the Dragons six points clear (2-8).
The Dragons travelled to Derby with a 100% record in all competitions, so far this season. However, the Trailblazers were also unbeaten in the league thus far and made a real statement of intent when they signed the leagues former Most Valuable Player, American Malcolm Smith.
Ricky Fetske won the jump ball, leading to three-point basket by Andreas Lycoudis. Smith responded almost immediately with a lay-up but then a combination of scores from Rihard Šulcs and Ricky Fetske put the Dragons six points clear (2-8).
| The scores remained close through the opening period and with one-and-a-half minutes remaining to the first break, the scores were even at twenty-eight a piece. However, a couple of missed shots by the Dragons, coupled with some successful conversions from the free throw line by the hosts, gave the Trailblazers a five-point lead at the buzzer (33-28). The lead was quickly extended to eight points at the start of the second, and although Bradford managed to keep themselves in contention, they couldn’t do anything to prevent Derby increasing their advantage further, going into the half time interval fifteen points clear, at 65-50. There was no respite for the Dragons after the break, with Derby further increasing the gap as far as twenty-seven points, although an Allie Fullah layup, in the dying seconds of the third period, pulled it back to twenty-five (87-62). |  |
Four minutes into the final quarter and the game was out of reach for the Dragons, with the scores at 101-69, yet still the Trailblazers continued to press and with only two minutes of the game remaining they were an incredible thirty-five points clear (113-78).
It was only then that the Dragons managed to pull a final flurry together, however ot was too little too late and the game closed with the hosts taking the twenty-three point victory (116-93).
Once again, Šulcs led the Bradford scorers with 24 points, also adding 12 rebounds to record a double-double. Drexler Clark contributed 16 points to the Dragons’ total, whilst Fullah also hit double figures with 10 points.
The games top scorer was Smith, who made 31 points for the Trailblazers, ably assisted by Matthew Ward-Hibbert with 28 points and Jake Wesselingh with 20 points.
It was only then that the Dragons managed to pull a final flurry together, however ot was too little too late and the game closed with the hosts taking the twenty-three point victory (116-93).
Once again, Šulcs led the Bradford scorers with 24 points, also adding 12 rebounds to record a double-double. Drexler Clark contributed 16 points to the Dragons’ total, whilst Fullah also hit double figures with 10 points.
The games top scorer was Smith, who made 31 points for the Trailblazers, ably assisted by Matthew Ward-Hibbert with 28 points and Jake Wesselingh with 20 points.
 | The following day, the Dragons were back in front of their home support, as many peoples title favourites, Worthing Thunder, provided the opposition on the fourth round of the National Cup. The long journey from the South Coast didn’t seem to affect the visitors, who opened the scoring with a quick two-pointer from the start. The Dragons kept things tight in the opening quarter, remaining just two behind at the first buzzer (17-19). |
However, as the game progressed Worthing got more and more into their rhythm, displaying some polished moves and exposing any frailties in the Dragons defence. As the teams returned to the locker rooms at half time, the margin was up to ten points (38-48) in Thunder’s favour.
At times it seemed as though the Worthing players had a psychic understanding of where each of their teammates would be, and their slick flowing movement was a joy to watch. Pushing on into the third quarter their lead was further extended, with the period ending at 58-75.
There was no let up in the final period as Worthing made sure of their place in the quarter finals with a twenty-point victory, 78-98.
Clark hit 22 points to finish the game as Dragons’ top scorer, however Šulcs picked up the University of Bradford Player of the Game award, with 15 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Fetske and Lycoudis both contributed 12 points to the home sides total.
Worthing’s Tom Ward made the games high score with 26 points, whilst captain Brendan Okoronkwo made 21 points and new signing Jorge Ebanks also adding 17 points to the winning score.
Following a disappointing weekend for the Dragons, head coach, Chris Mellor commented, “We were very poor defensively in both games. We just didn’t compete at the level required at that end of the floor for us to be successful, but credit to Derby and Worthing – they played well.”
The Dragons have an early opportunity to exact their revenge on Sunday’s visitors, as Worthing Thunder once again enter the Dragons’ Den (Bradford College Sports Hall, Trinity Road) next Saturday, 3rd October, this time in a league fixture (tip-off 6:15pm).
Then, on Sunday, the Dragons entertain Reading Rockets, again in the Dragons Den in the second game of a league double-header weekend. Sunday’s tip off is at the slightly earlier time of 4:15pm.
Tickets for both games are available via the club website.
Photographs © Alex Daniel Photography
At times it seemed as though the Worthing players had a psychic understanding of where each of their teammates would be, and their slick flowing movement was a joy to watch. Pushing on into the third quarter their lead was further extended, with the period ending at 58-75.
There was no let up in the final period as Worthing made sure of their place in the quarter finals with a twenty-point victory, 78-98.
Clark hit 22 points to finish the game as Dragons’ top scorer, however Šulcs picked up the University of Bradford Player of the Game award, with 15 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Fetske and Lycoudis both contributed 12 points to the home sides total.
Worthing’s Tom Ward made the games high score with 26 points, whilst captain Brendan Okoronkwo made 21 points and new signing Jorge Ebanks also adding 17 points to the winning score.
Following a disappointing weekend for the Dragons, head coach, Chris Mellor commented, “We were very poor defensively in both games. We just didn’t compete at the level required at that end of the floor for us to be successful, but credit to Derby and Worthing – they played well.”
The Dragons have an early opportunity to exact their revenge on Sunday’s visitors, as Worthing Thunder once again enter the Dragons’ Den (Bradford College Sports Hall, Trinity Road) next Saturday, 3rd October, this time in a league fixture (tip-off 6:15pm).
Then, on Sunday, the Dragons entertain Reading Rockets, again in the Dragons Den in the second game of a league double-header weekend. Sunday’s tip off is at the slightly earlier time of 4:15pm.
Tickets for both games are available via the club website.
Photographs © Alex Daniel Photography
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