Bradford Dragons back to face Worthing Thunder in play-offs

A 99-89 defeat to second-placed Worthing Thunder ensured Bradford finished seventh in the standings, meaning a play-off berth.

And it just so happens that that result means the Dragons face a quick rematch with Thunder.

The two will face off in West Sussex once again tomorrow, though this time more is on the line.

The winner of their play-off quarter-final this weekend will take on whoever comes through victorious in the clash between third-placed Derby Trailblazers and sixth-placed Thames Valley Cavaliers.

Not only did Bradford run favourites Worthing close last Saturday, but the following day, Thunder suffered a huge 126-73 defeat to table-topping Hemel Storm in their final league game, which may have knocked their confidence heading into the play-offs.

Bradford actually edged the majority of the game when the two sides faced off last Saturday, but paid the price for a dreadful first quarter.

They were defensively all over the shop, with Worthing racking up 30 points to take a 14-point lead into the second quarter.

But Bradford ate into the Worthing advantage before half-time, taking the second quarter 24-20, meaning they only trailed 50-40 at the break.

Both sides cancelled each other out in the third quarter, each scoring 21 points apiece.

The Dragons improved on that total in the final quarter, racking up 28 points, but unfortunately for them Worthing matched them once again.

That meant the final score was 99-89 in Worthing's favour, but the Dragons have shown enough to suggest they are capable of matching the same side in the play-off quarter-finals once again tomorrow.

Frustratingly for Bradford, they had the top two individual scorers last Saturday, in Micah Savery-Richards (29) and Justin Williams (24), but with no-one else able to hit more than 10 points, that duo were unable to drag their side over the line.