What a weekend for Bradford Dragons.

After winning their opening game of the EBL Division One season against visitors Worthing Thunder on Saturday, they sent derby rivals Leeds Carnegie crashing out of the National Cup the following day.

Dragons won the third-round clash 81-71 to qualify for the quarter-finals.

They established a 24-15 lead at the end of the first period but Carnegie found their offensive rhythm to battle back to lead 53-51 going into the final period.

The game was tied 63 all with just over two minutes to go. Dragons edged ahead with a Rihard Sulcs lay-up but a Dragons foul sent Carnegie’s Wilkins to the charity stripe and his free throws tied the game on the buzzer at 67 all.

Tom Martin and Bobby Edmunds sank crucial triples in overtime, followed by another Sulcs steal and lay-up for two.

Rai Pabrieza was fouled in the dying seconds and calmly put his free shots away to give Dragons their first ever win against Carnegie.

For Dragons, Michal Ciesla was on fire with a game-high 22 points. Sulcs scored 18 and Vance Silcott had another double double with 15 points and 14 boards.

Coach Chris Mellor said: “As the game went on I sensed it was going to come down to the last shot or overtime.

“We just managed to come up with the big plays in overtime to seal the win and I’m pleased with the way we finished and kept our concentration – especially after we put a lot in the Worthing game the night before.”

Sulcs was outstanding on the offensive boards against Worthing, with a run of three successive rebounds during one period of play.

Dragons held a 46-36 lead at half-time, which they stretched to 71-56, but Thunders refused to concede and battled back to trail 90-88 with less than two minutes to go.

A crucial tip-in by the outstanding Silcott gave Dragons breathing space in the last minute and, despite a huge 32-22 final quarter from Thunder, Dragons were worthy 93-88 winners at the buzzer.

Silcott led with a trademark double double of 24 points and 15 rebounds, Edmunds scored 21 and Sulcs also made a double double with 14 points and ten rebounds. Mellor said: “Losing Chris McGrew after four minutes altered the game-plan somewhat but other guys stepped up.

“They made things interesting in the last few minutes as they have good scoring talent and maybe we ran too much instead of burning some clock but we are a young team and we will learn by playing more at this level.”

Dragons face another clash against Leeds Carnegie on Sunday, this time in the league. Tip-off is 4pm at Leeds Met University, Headingley campus, Churchwood Avenue.

Elsewhere, Dragons 2 lost 85-81 at home to Hull Wasps in EBL Division Four, the under-18s lost 47-33 at York Vikings, the under-16s went down heavily at East Manchester Rebels, 99-43, but Dragons women continued their perfect start to the campaign with a 54-29 win at York Vikings in the Leeds and District Women’s League.

Dragons points-scorers were Louise Hunte (nine), Keem Taylor-Hirst (eight), Aleksandra Mazjakina (seven), Dana Kima (seven), Natalia Laing (seven), Rachel Tunnacliffe (six), Laura Moloney (four), Katie Vaines (four) and Claire Doherty (two).

They face last season’s league champions Harrogate Raiders on Thursday – who have won five out of five this season – tip-off 8.30pm at Bradford College. Entry is free.