DRAGONS WIN 74 - 67 AWAY AT MEDWAY PARK CRUSADERS IN NATIONAL TROPHY GAME
Published on: 26th September 2011
DRAGONS WIN 74 - 67 AWAY AT MEDWAY PARK CRUSADERS IN NATIONAL TROPHY GAME
Bradford Dragons followed their convincing National Cup round 1 win last week with the long road trip to Kent to play their first ever game in the National Trophy and to eventually beat Medway Park Crusaders 74 – 67. The National Trophy, a competition only for EBL division 1 teams, is the curtain raiser to the main league season and Dragons had the chance to measure themselves against another newly promoted division 1 team who had actively recruited in the off season. Dragons started slowly and it was Medway who led 17 – 13 at the first break. Dragons increased the team defensive pressure with excellent work from new signing ‘the Flying Dutchman’ Denis Scott diving for loose balls and rebounding at both ends to give Dragons a 38 – 31 lead at half time. Medway fought back in the third quarter to close the gap with Medway’s Adrian Fenyn on his way to a game high haul of 28 points to narrow Dragons lead to 53 – 50 at the end of the third as Dragon’s turnovers in transition cost them. Despite Medway drawing level, a final gutsy defensive effort by Dragons saw off the home team challenge as Dragons won the final quarter 21 - 17 to run out worthy winners 74 – 67 with a good all round team performance.
For Dragons, Rihard Sulcs top scored with 23, Chris McGrew made 15 and Daumants Pabrieza hit 9 points.
After the game Coach Chris Mellor said, ‘I thought it was a typical early season game with both teams looking a bit out of sorts with what they were trying to achieve at both ends of the floor. Neither team shot the ball particularly well from the perimeter and we just managed to keep our noses in front throughout the second half with a good defensive effort. The new guys I’ve brought in are settling in well and it’s good to start with a win, but these Trophy games are really only a starter before the main course which starts at the end of October.
Dragon’s next game of the 2011/12 season is the EBL National Trophy home game against Reading Rockets on Saturday 01/10/11, tip off 6.15pm at Trinity Green sports hall, Bradford College, Trinity Road, Bradford BD5 0JE. Reading Rockets are previous winners of the EBL division 1 and are one of the best sides in the EBL.
Admission is £5 adults, £2.50 under 16s, concessions and students and family tickets [adults + 2 children] are £10
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.
