Bradford Dragons could not finish the year on a high as they lost 80-69 at home to unbeaten league leaders Reading Rockets.

The Rockets had the better of the early exchanges, with England under-18 international Luke Nelson scoring seven of his side’s first 11 points.

The Dragons worked hard to keep Reading to just a three-point lead at the end of the first quarter but this was stretched to seven by the half-time break.

Bradford came out strongly in the third quarter as Mark Saladzius started to find his form from outside.

This, combined with some tough plays from Vance Silcott and Ricky Fetske, meant that they were able to reduce the lead to six points with just ten minutes left.

But Reading stepped up a gear in the final quarter and limited Bradford to just 14 points while adding another 19 to their own total.

Saladzius led the Dragons scoring with 21 points, ably supported by Fetske (18) and Silcott (17). Danny Carter top-scored for the Rockets with 21 points.

Bradford enter the Christmas break in fifth place, while Reading still top the league with an impressive nine wins and no losses.

The Dragons will start 2013 with a tough away game against Westminster Warriors before their biggest weekend of the season so far on January 12-13. They face Bristol in the league and Hemel in the quarter-finals of the Trophy, with both games being played at Bradford College.

Meanwhile, the Bradford second team lost 60-54 to their experienced Magic Mold opponents. But Dragons’ women continued their league rampage as they notched up a 98-42 win over basement side Sunderland City Predators. Vilma Jurgaityte (35) and Aleksandra Mazjakina (23) led the scoring.

The under-18 men lost 63-54 to Killamarsh Derbyshire Arrows, while the under-16 boys were beaten 93-71 by Oldham Titans before reversing their fortunes to overcome Doncaster Danum Eagles 84-81.