Dragons double win at Stockport and Burnley
Published on: 28th November 2011
With no other Dragons teams in action this weekend, Dragons 2 senior men beat Stockport Falcons 2 at home 86 – 85 against the previously unbeaten visitors in the EBL division 4 [north] league game. Dragons did not start well and the Falcons led 28 – 19 at the first break as the Dragons defence failed to contain the visitors. Dragons recovered somewhat in the next quarter to trail 40 – 44 at half time. Dragons continued to struggle in the third stanza and fell further behind but as the Dragons defence finally found some energy and passion, they trailed 54 – 59 at the final break.
The final quarter saw Stockport pull ahead to an 11 point lead but with all Dragons players now playing strong defence, a tip in for 2 by Craig Wilson and a late triple from Tate Williams gave Dragons the lead for the first time in the game late in the quarter. A clever steal and 2 two point play and then a last minute offensive rebound and 1 from Jimi Pournoori gave Dragons a 4 point lead as the Falcons missed crucial shots from the charity stripe. A half way line shot from the corner by Dean Cantwell for the Falcons dropped for 3 but Dragons 2 had won a thrilling victory 86 – 85 at home.
For Dragons 2, Tate Williams top scored with 22 points, Valdis Kravalis made 17 and Rob Donaldson weighed in with 12 points.
After the game, Dragons 2 Coach Samuel Messam said, ‘We came in to the game with no expectations other than to play hard and compete. The year to date has been challenging and somewhat of a steep learning curve with a number of young inexperienced players accepting the challenge and wishing to learn. Tonight offered us a chance to come together has a team, to play hard and to demonstrate that we can compete on the national stage.
Stockport represented both a challenge and an opportunity, unbeaten they have demonstrated their ability to win, we came in just wanting to challenge and see where that would get us come the fourth quarter. We worked hard, hustled, chased after everything and stuck around long enough to come out on top. I am very proud of our performance, we demonstrated we have it in us, it is just a case of repeating it week in and week out now’.
The following day Dragons 2 travelled to play much fancied Burnley Blaze away and won 66 – 64 as the Dragons 2 roller coaster season continues. Leading 36 – 31 at half time, Dragons extended their lead to 53 – 45 at the final break. Burnley fought back in the last stanza but Dragons held on to win 66 – 64 at the close.
For Dragons Valdis Kravalis scored 21, the smallest point guard in the league Patrick Fuerzas had a stormer with 13 points Craig ‘Big Bird Wilson made 7 points.
Dragons 2 next play Mersey Tigers at home in the Dragons Den on Saturday 3/12/11 at 4.15pm at Bradford College
Dragons 1 next play EBL division 1 leaders Bristol Academy Flyers - who are top of the league - away on Saturday 3/12/11 at 7pm at WISE – Filton College Campus, Bristol BS34 8QE
Dragons 1 next home game in the Dragon’s Den is on Saturday 10th December, 6.15pm at the Trinity Green sports hall, Bradford College, Trinity Road, Bradford BD5 0JE in the EBL division 1 league game against Derby Trailblazers. Admission is £5 adults, £2.50 under 16s, concessions and students and family tickets [adults + 2 children] are £10. Admission is free for Dragons club members.
For more details on the Bradford Dragons go to www.bradforddragons.co.uk or visit Bradford Dragons for the Community on Facebook
Bradford Eurocamp takes place between Monday 23/7/12 and Friday 27/7/12 based at Bradford College, visit www.bradfordeurocamp.co.uk for more information and contact info@bradforddragons.co.uk to pre order a free colour brochure.
