Leopards will be tough test for Bradford Dragons (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Leopards will be tough test for Bradford Dragons

7:25pm Thursday 1st November 2012 in Sport By Sports Desk

Bradford Dragons will face the reigning league, cup and play-off champions when they travel to Essex on Sunday to take on the Leopards.

Their hosts are in their final season in Division One before they make the step up to the British Basketball League, the top flight of the sport in this country.

Dragons had a tough start to the season last weekend against Brixton Topcats, managing to take an eight-point win in their opening league game.

For Leopards it was a mixed weekend as they picked up a comprehensive win at Worthing in the league on Saturday, while they were the victim of a National Cup giant killing on Sunday against Division Three Canary Wharf London Lithuanica.

Leopards have, as usual, brought together an impressive roster under British basketball legend Robert Youngblood.

Bradford head coach Chris Mellor said: “Leopards look like they have recruited very well after losing just about everybody from last season’s treble-winning team. “They have some guys with BBL experience so it’s going to be a tough task for us but one we are really looking forward to.”

Dragons’ American guard Bobby Edmunds is clear about what is needed to get the win.

“The key for us is to not have too many turnovers as well as winning the rebounding battle,” he said.

“Also, after the Brixton game it is important that we have a good shooting game.”

Bradford will be without guard Daumants Pabrieza after he broke the exact same bone that ruled him out last season – but this time it is in his other foot.

Pabrieza is set for surgery later this week.

The game on Sunday will pit the Dragons against what is expected to be one of their main rivals for silverware this season. Dragons next home game is against Worthing Thunder on Saturday, November 10. The game tips off at 6:15pm.

Elsewhere for Bradford on Saturday, Dragons Women will welcome Bury Blue Devils to Bradford College with the game tipping off at 4:15pm.

The Under-14 boys will head to the North East to take on the Gateshead Torandoes at Whickham Sports College.