BRADFORD Dragons faced a double header weekend against two sides that are fighting for a home berth in the end of season play-offs in NBL Division One.

Having trailed for the majority of the game, the Dragons clawed back from a massive 17-point deficit to clinch a spectacular 87-79 victory against Hemel Storm in the Dragons’ Den on Saturday evening.

Then, in a complete turn of events, Bradford led for the most part of Sunday’s high scoring fixture at Derby Trailblazers, but a late surge from the hosts saw them take the win, 106-99, damaging the Dragons’ own play-off hopes.

Saturday saw the Dragons down by four points by the end of the first quarter and while Hemel soon increased that lead, good scoring from Jabari Edwards, Micah Savery-Richards and Zach Gachette saw the hosts edge 34-33 ahead.

That was the score with two minutes of the second quarter remaining, but then the Storm went on an incredible 18-point unanswered run either side of half-time to go 51-34 in front,

But the home side were in no mood to surrender and they set about slowly eating into the Storm’s lead, aided by a spectacular dunk from Savery-Richards, and were back in contention at 58-52 down heading into the final quarter.

Crucially, with five minutes of the game left, Hemel’s leading scorer, Sam Newman, stepped in front of Zach Gachette and was immediately called for an unsportsmanlike foul.

Having already been given a technical in the previous quarter, Newman was ejected from the arena.

With Hemel’s biggest threat gone, the Dragons took control and saw the game out with an 87-79 victory.

Gachette recorded the game’s high score with 32 points, while Micah Savery-Richards also contributed 27 points to the winning total.

However, the official Calderdale College Player of the game went to Clayfell Harris, whose defensive contribution, particularly in the second half, was a big factor in the Dragons’ win.

The following day, the Dragons visited the Derby Trailblazers.

The Dragons started the game strongly and raced into a 26-18 advantage by the end of the first quarter.

The hosts fought their way back though, and were just 46-45 down at the interval.

The Dragons opened the lead up to six points by the mid-point of the third quarter, but as fatigue began to set in, Derby started to take the control, and they led 77-72 going into the final ten minutes.

Bradford fought hard and regained the lead at the halfway point of the final quarter, but in the end, the effort of the last two days took its toll on their small squad, and Derby took the win, 106-99.

Once again, Gachette recorded the Dragons’ high score with 26 points, while Rihards Šulcs added 23 points for the visitors.

The Dragons return to the Inspire Centre at Calderdale College this Saturday, with a 6:15pm tip-off against Loughborough Riders.

Supporters are encouraged to pre-book tickets via the Dragons’ website, with savings over the on-the-door ticket prices.