BRADFORD Dragons’ Zion Tordoff and Eisley Swaine were both in action for England under-16s at the weekend in the post-Christmas Haris Memorial Tournament at the Amaechi Basketball Centre in Manchester.

Hosted by National Basketball League Division One side Manchester Magic, the tournament is an annual holiday event which pays tribute to Haris Charalambous, one of the top players to come out of the Magic youth programme.

He died suddenly while training with his NCAA Division One Toledo University team in October, 2006.

Tordoff and Swaine were included in the squad of 14 players who faced off against England under-18s, Spanish side CB Cornella, French club Boulazac, Irish team Sligo All Stars and Manchester Magic under-18s, as well as American sides Tilton and St Andrews Prep.

Entered at short notice, the England under-16s found the going tough, losing all but their final game, beating Sligo All Stars to finish seventh overall, while England under-18’s beat Boulazac in the third and fourth place play-off.

The final was contested between the American sides, with Tilton finishing as 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 teams that different countries produced.

"I think as a team we have a way to go, but we are very talented and hard working and I am looking forward to building on the experience.”

Tordoff added: "It was an amazing experience 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 Championships next August.

Bradford, who are on a short festive break, return to action in the Dragons' Den with a home double-header weekend against Manchester Magic on Saturday, January 10, followed by the National Trophy quarter-final against Kent Crusaders the following day.