BRADFORD Dragons will have only pride to play for in their final National Trophy pool game at home to Lancashire Spinners on Saturday (6.15pm).

The Dragons' fate was sealed with an 80-66 defeat to Team Northumbria at Sport Central in Newcastle.

Bradford just held the edge at the end of the first quarter, leading 19-17, but it did not take long for the home side to gain control.

They led 30-25 only five minutes into the second period and that was extended to 45-33 by the time the sides headed for the locker rooms at half-time.

The Dragons marginally reduced their deficit to 11 points (57-46) midway through the third quarter but it was 65-51 by the end of it.

Once again, American imports topped the scoring for Bradford, with Marcus Gooding bagging 19 points to finish as the game's top scorer, closely followed by Ricky Fetske (18), who also took nine rebounds.

For Team Northumbia, Blayne Freckleton netted 17 points and Siman Stewart 13.

Dragons head coach Chris Mellor said: "We rebounded the ball very poorly and our lack of ball movement offensively contributed to too many low-percentage opportunities.

"Their defence was good and overall they played with more intensity than we did."

Like the Dragons, the Spinners have also lost both of their opening pool games and therefore both teams will be playing to avoid finishing at the foot of their group.

Discounted tickets are available online via the Dragons' website at www.bradforddragons.co.uk.

Team Northumbria will now travel to Manchester Magic to determine which of the two will make it through to the semi-finals.

* Bradford Dragons' under-16s started their league campaign with an 81-57 victory against Sheffield Junior Sharks II at Buttershaw Business and Enterprise College. Joe Barrett top-scored for Bradford with 23 points.