Bradford Dragons enhanced their push for top spot in EBL Division One with a convincing 78-65 victory over Medway Crusaders.

Dan Foley led the scoring with 21 points to leave the Dragons third in the table with ten wins and four losses ahead of next weekend’s big local derby against mid-table Leeds.

Medway travelled to Bradford just days after successfully appealing an expulsion from the league but could do nothing to stop the hosts’ roaring start as they stormed into a 17-6 lead.

The Crusaders did manage to get themselves back into the game in the second quarter, led by England under-18s player Joshua Steel.

But Latvian ace Rihard Sulcs responded with an emphatic breakaway dunk to help his side post a 40-30 half-time advantage. The second half was something of a roller-coaster as Medway looked to get back into the game but the Dragons, led by Vance Silcott, were able to compose themselves and extend their lead to 20 points.

Sulcs’ afternoon took a turn for the worse early in the fourth quarter as he sustained a deep cut above his eye after a head collision and he did not return to the action after a solid 14-point display.

The Crusaders looked to take advantage of the depleted home side but Bradford refused to crumble and key baskets from Foley saw them edge to a second successive win.

Foley was backed up by Carl Pearson with 16 points as both players looked to cement their places in the starting line-up to face Leeds on Saturday.

That match takes place in the Dragons Den at Bradford College on Trinity Road, tipping off at 6.15pm.

Meanwhile, the Dragons second team came close to banking an elusive first win of the season as they missed out 48-40 to Leeds Demons in the Leeds Premier League.

Bradford’s under-15s travelled to York Eagles and won 111-51, while the under-14s were at the same venue and won 74-62.