Dragons miss out after derby thriller (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Ajumobi proves the difference as Leeds land key three-pointers to edge out Bradford Dragons

5:50pm Monday 6th February 2012 in Other By Sports Desk

A pulsating EBL Division One game saw the lead change hands 24 times before hosts Bradford Dragons were edged out 75-66 by neighbours Leeds Carnegie.

Those supporters who battled through the snow to watch the West Yorkshire derby were treated to a thriller after a comparatively sluggish opening.

The Dragons, who had Angel Manana making his home debut, pulled away to lead 21-15 at the end of the first period.

New official cheerleaders the Bradford Ravens were in full voice as the game grew more competitive, although it was Leeds who belied their lowly league position to take the initiative and surge clear.

But a Dragons fast break at the end of the second quarter and basket by Rihard Sulcs left the home team trailing just 38-34 at half-time.

With the intensity increasing as both defences battled to gain control, another steal led to a huge dunk for two points by Sulcs as Bradford moved into a 40-38 lead midway through the third stanza.

But David Ajumobi was dominating the Leeds boards on his way to a game high of 31 points for Carnegie, with additional deadly triples from Josh Houghton giving the visitors a 56-50 lead at the final interval.

Triples by Michal Ciesla and Bobby Edmunds in reply narrowed the gap to 68-66 but another Leeds triple finally enabled them to kill off the contest.

Dragons coach Chris Mellor reflected: “I was happy with our effort but we just did not execute at crucial moments offensively and our free throw shooting was poor.

“Ajumobi played a great game for them and they hit the big shots when it mattered.”

Sulcs led the Bradford scoring with 22 points, supported by Edmunds (16) and Denis Scott (12).

The Dragons travel to London to take on mid-table rivals Brixton Topcats next Sunday, before hosting high-flying Leicester Warriors the following Saturday.

Bradford’s second team lost their latest EBL Division Four match 62-53 at home to Tees Valley Mohawks Seconds.

But the Dragons’ women extended their perfect winning record to 14 games with a 62-42 victory at TASC in the Leeds League.

Bradford under-18s beat visiting York Vikings 48-34, while the under-16s edged a 51-49 win at Liverpool.