Bradford Dragons opened their season with a 70-60 National Trophy loss at Medway Park Crusaders.

But they bounced back the next day to brush aside visiting Childwall 110-35 and reach the second round of the National Cup.

Dragons coach Chris Mellor said of the Trophy match, in which his side were level with five minutes to go: “While the result was disappointing, there were plenty of positives for us moving forward.”

Bradford have a home double-header next weekend against Tees Valley Mohawks in the National Trophy on Saturday, October 5 (6.15pm), followed the next day by a National Cup tie against local rivals Huddersfield Heat (6.45pm).

Both games are at Trinity Green sports hall, Bradford College, Trinity Road.

Meanwhile, the Dragons under-16s travelled to Hull Wasps for their first EBL game but lost 68-63, with 14-year-old Tyrique Pinnock scoring 15 points and 12-year-old Mate Okros adding 12.

The Bradford men’s third team lost 79-41 to Leeds Tigers seconds in the Leeds Cup, having previously been beaten 76-72 by Horsforth Hustlers seconds in the Leeds League.