The scores were tied at 18 apiece at the end of the first quarter, but the Dragons led by 2 points (32-34) when the teams went back to the locker rooms at half time.
Bradford were without the services of both American big-man Chis McGrew and Polish point-guard Maciek Koskiuk through injury, whilst Ryan Holmes was also left at home suffering with a virus. With Spaniard Miguel Lorenzo still away on study leave, the travelling side were left with a squad of only 8 players to make the long distance trip down to the Garden of England.
The scores were tied at 18 apiece at the end of the first quarter, but the Dragons led by 2 points (32-34) when the teams went back to the locker rooms at half time. ![]() Bradford Dragons made it three wins out of three against Leicester Warriors with a 96-89 victory in the Dragons Den on Sunday afternoon. The two teams had already met twice this season, with Dragons winning 77-69 in the round-robin stages of the National Trophy and again 63-81 in the reverse league fixture and with a fourth meeting scheduled next month, in the National Trophy semi-final, both teams were keen to gain the psychological advantage. It was the visitors that had the better of the opening exchanges, forcing Bradford’s coach Chris Mellor to call his first time out with less than 5 minutes played and his team already down by seven points. Despite temporarily pulling the score back to within three points, Leicester stretched it back out again and went into the first break at 20-28. ![]() Bradford Dragons entertain Leicester Warriors at the Dragons Den (Bradford College Sports Hall, Trinity Road, BD5 0JE) on Sunday afternoon(tip-off 4:15pm), in the National Basketball League division one. The two teams have already met twice, so far this season, with the Dragons coming away as victors on both occasions – winning 69-77 in the National Trophy, in October, and 63-81 in the reverse league fixture, last month. Leicester currently sit one position and two points above the Dragons in the league table, and a victory on Sunday could lift the Dragons above them and into one of the coveted end of season play off positions. Bradford are currently on a hot streak, having won four of their last five games, including last Sunday’s National Trophy quarter final victory, against Kent Crusaders, which sets them up for yet another meeting with this weekend’s opponents in a semi-final match-up at Leicester next month. Dragons will be without the services of Spaniard Miguel Lorenzo this weekend, as he has returned home for two weeks in order to sit exams. Both Rafi Saipe and Maciej Kosciuk, who missed last weekend’s games, through injury, are rated at 50/50 to return to the Bradford bench on Sunday. Bradford fans will also be welcoming back Leicester point guard, Carl Pearson, who enjoyed a successful season with the Dragons last term. Bradford’s head coach, Chris Mellor said, “Leicester have had a good season so far. We played well in the last game before Christmas, to beat them, but they are a deep team with a lot of talent. Our defence and rebounding will need to be very good, in order to contain their threats, which come from inside and out. We have some good momentum right now and we just want to keep it going as we get into the second half of the season.” Tickets for Sunday’s game can be purchased in advance from www.ticketsource.co.uk/bradforddragons or on the door.
Tordoff and Swaine were included in the squad of fourteen players to face off against their more senior colleagues in the England under 18’s, Spanish side CB Cornella, Boulazac of France, Irish team Sligo All Stars, Manchester Magic under 18’s, as well as American sides Tilton and St Andrews Prep.
Entered at short notice, the England under 16’s found the going tough, losing all but their final game – beating Irish team Sligo All Stars to finish seventh overall, whilst England under 18’s beat Boulazac in the third and fourth place playoff. The final was contested between the two American sides, with Tilton finishing as this year’s tournament champions. Reflecting on the weekend, Swaine said "It was a fantastic experience not only did I get to represent my country, I also got to experience other teams that the different countries produced. I think as a team we have a way to go, but we are very talented and hardworking and I am looking forward to building on the experience.” Tordoff added "It was an amazing experience over the Christmas break, against quality teams who are older, faster and stronger. I have learnt a lot through this tournament and hopefully it will show when I go back to Dragons to work even harder and smarter to be a better player." Both players will be hoping to be included in the final cut of 12 players to represent England in the European under 16’s Championships, to be held in August 2015. Bradford Dragons are currently enjoying a short break over the Christmas and New Year period but will be returning to action in the Dragons Den with a home double header weekend against Manchester Magic on Saturday 10th January, followed by the National Trophy quarter final match up against Kent Crusaders the following day. |
Archives
March 2022
|