Blog Archives

Bradford Dragons split the spoils from Double header weekend

29/2/2016

Bradford Dragons faced two of the sides that are battling against relegation, going down 85-75 at Westminster Warriors on Saturday evening, but then picking up the points, beating Tees Valley Mohawks, 93-85 in the Dragons Den on Sunday.

Bradford went into the weekends fixtures knowing that they could all but secure their first division survival with a couple of wins against two of the teams that are below them in the table. Having already beaten Westminster Warriors on both of their previous meetings this season, the Dragons could be somewhat forgiven for a degree of complacency as they travelled to the capital.

The Dragons took an early lead, only ten seconds from the tip off, when Nicholas Moore sank his jump shot to open his account. It was a lead that Bradford were to maintain throughout the first quarter of the game, at one point stretching their advantage to nine points, before the hosts managed to peg it back to three by the end of the period (14-17).

That was as good as it got for the Dragons as Westminster took a firm hold on the game, opening up a ten-point lead of their own. Despite baskets from Moore and Rihards Sulcs, in the last minute of the half, the home side went back to the Locker room six points ahead, 45-39.

Chris Mellor’s half time team talk failed to make an impact as the Dragons found themselves falling further and further behind. At the half way point of the third quarter Westminster were firmly in control of the game, with a commanding eighteen-point advantage (61-43). This finally spurred Bradford into a mini revival, halving the hosts lead by the end of the penultimate period (65-56).

New Digital Match Day Programmes

25/2/2016

Match Day Program vs Tees Valley Mohawks - Available Now!
On Sunday, Tees Valley Mohawks visit the Dragons Den (4:15pm), desperate for a win as they fight to avoid relegation. A win for the Dragons, on the other hand, would all but secure our first division survival. This weekends match day programme is available to download now, or pick up a copy on the door on Sunday.
Download your copy now or pick one up on the door!

Bradford Dragons fall foul of fourth quarter complacency, again!!

22/2/2016

Once again, Bradford Dragons displayed an inept ability to let a fourth quarter lead slip through their fingers when Team Northumbria visited the Dragons Den on Saturday evening. In almost an exact repeat of the Leicester Warriors game, a week previous, the Newcastle outfit turned around a nine-point deficit in the final period to finish the game victoriously, 82-88.

Northumbria have proved to be one of the major players in division one this season and are currently in contention for a home berth when the end of season playoffs come around. As was to be expected, they started the game strongly, taking a quick lead and holding it for the majority of the first period. However, as the game progressed, Bradford were visibly growing in confidence and, with only a couple of seconds remaining before the buzzer, a Dwayne Camille jump shot gave the home side a first quarter lead, 24-23.

The confidence on the court was echoed by the crowd, who were the most vocal they had been for quite some time, a true sign that things are improving, week-on-week, in the Bradford camp. The vociferous support spurred the Dragons on through the second period of the game, during which their lead was extended to five points. Chris Mellor was by far the happier of the two coaches, as the teams returned to the locker rooms with the scores at 46-41 in Bradford’s favour.

Bradford Dragons mix it up in double header weekend.

15/2/2016

Bradford Dragons faced another double header weekend, with a home fixture against Leicester Warriors on Saturday, followed by an away trip to face last season’s champions, Essex Leopards, both in the National Basketball League division 1. At the start of the weekend, Bradford would probably have been happy to take one win from the two games. This they did, however, perhaps not quite in the fashion they may have expected - losing at home (74-80), in a tight encounter against Leicester, but then coming away from Essex with the points (70-74).

In recent seasons, Bradford have enjoyed a favourable record against Leicester Warriors, despite their visitors having beaten them in the reverse fixture this season. Following their recent upturn in form, the Dragons would have hoped for a win in front of their home crowd.

Leicester, who included former Dragon Carl Pearson in their starting five, had other ideas, building up an early eight-point lead during the first quarter. However, Bradford fought back to close the scores to within a single point by the close of the period, with Leicester leading 17-18.

Magic shatter Bradford Dragons’ Final dreams.

8/2/2016

Bradford Dragons dream of making their first major final, since joining the top flight of English Basketball, lay in tatters on Sunday afternoon, following a heavy, 94-76, defeat against Manchester Magic in the Dragons’ Den. This followed less than 24 hours after the Dragons beat Kent Crusaders (62-79) in a vital National Basketball League Division One game, in the Garden of England.

Current league leaders and National Cup winners, Manchester Magic, entered the Dragons Den as clear favourites on Sunday afternoon, in the National Trophy semi-final. Having already defeated their hosts on three occasions this season, it was clear that Chris Mellor’s team would have a real fight on their hands if they were to progress to final, in Sheffield later this month. However, Bradford kept the game close in the first quarter of the game, finishing the period only three points down, at 20-23.

But the damage was done in the second quarter, in which Manchester increased their lead to 22 points, following a disastrous final five minutes of the half, for the home side. Bradford went back to their locker room on the wrong end of a 35-57 score-line and knowing that they had a mountain to climb if they were to turn the game around.

Basketball – a game of four quarters!!

1/2/2016

Bradford Dragons were delivered a stark reminder that Basketball is a game of four quarters, on Saturday evening, as Derby Trailblazers produced a dramatic fourth quarter comeback to take the game, in the Dragons Den, by 79 points to 74.

Derby have been flying high this season, currently sitting in second place, just two points behind leaders Manchester Magic and have not been out of the top three all season. Although the Dragons had earned a dramatic single-point victory against them in the pool stages of the National Trophy in October, it only took two weeks for Derby to extract their revenge, dispensing a thumping twenty-two-point reversal when the two sides met again in the early rounds of the league season.

The Dragons welcomed new signing, Dwayne Camille to their bench, a player of whom head coach, Chris Mellor, says is a player that can help at both ends of the court. Camille moves to the Dragons from neighbouring BBL side, Leeds Force, joining just before the closure of the transfer window for new signings.