BRADFORD Dragons’ search for a first win of the season continues, following a 84-75 home defeat against Derby Trailblazers at the weekend.

Both teams were without a league victory on the opening two weekends of the new NBL Division One season, with Bradford succumbing to an opening day defeat at Team Newcastle University and then a narrow loss at home to Worthing Thunder.

Having been on the wrong end of a 94-50 mauling against the Trailblazers in the traditional pre-season opener, the L Lynch Trophy, Bradford’s fans could have been forgiven for expecting a similar story to unfold in the Dragons’ Den this time around.

Dragons took first blood when Dave Walsh (pictured) laid up for two in the opening minute of the game, and after that the sides went basket to basket in the first quarter, which ended at 20-20.

Straight from the restart, Bradford youngster Jabari Edwards put the Dragons ahead once again, but Derby opened a five point lead towards the end of the period, and led 40-35 at half-time.

Returning to court after the break, the home side struggled to find any sort of rhythm as the Trailblazers took the first 12 points of the quarter, opening up a huge 52-35 lead.

The Dragons still trailed 62-48 at the end of the third quarter, giving themselves much to do in the final 10 minutes of the game.

Twice in that final period, Derby’s lead was extended to 17 points, but the Dragons gradually reduced the deficit, resulting in an 84-75 loss.

Zach Gachette topped the Dragons scorers with 23 points, closely followed by Dave Walsh, who contributed 22 points, 15 of which were from beyond the three-point arc.

With both Rihards Šulcs and Edwards leaving the court through injury, Bradford’s head coach, Chris Mellor, will be hoping that both players recover in time to make the long trip down to face the Thames Valley Cavaliers this coming Saturday.

The Dragons are then back in the Den on Sunday, when they entertain either Manchester Magic or Liverpool Basketball Club in the third round of the National Cup at 4:15pm.

Tickets will be available on the door.