News article.

The Yorkshire Dragons entered the game against struggling Bristol Hurricanes with only six
players due to injuries and illness to Nick Lewis and Logan Rooney. But after a good victory last weekend, they were determined to not let the setbacks hinder their confidence.

With the hosts finding themselves in second place after five wins and one loss, it was the visitors ,who were second bottom, that started the game the fastest and more intent as they got themselves an early lead. The game only got going for the Dragons after a three pointer from Jack Mielke. But despite the hosts best efforts to pick up the urgency and aggression it just wasn’t enough as the Dragons ended the first period with a four point deficit, trailing the game 17 - 21.

The start of the second quarter was much of the same and seemed like a day that was to be forgotten for the Dragons until the Bristol Hurricanes coach saw himself receive a technical after constantly arguing to the referees, and it caused the hosts to up their intensity. With five minutes left of the half and the Dragons taking the lead for the first time in the match, Corey
Johnson saw himself pick up and knock and left the hosts with only the five on the court.

While the injuries are a problem for the Dragons they didn’t let it affect their on court performance as they ended the second period with a three point lead and a returning Corey Johnson, leaving the score 39-36 to the hosts.

Johnson overcame his knock in the second period and picked himself up vital points in the third period. A game that seemed early on could be a struggle, however the Dragons found their second gear and showed the fight that has been a regular in the past few weeks. The Dragons received many free throws after personal fouls from the Hurricanes. After a
fantastic third period performance from Ronny Ani and Corey Johnson, who got himself 23 points in the third period alone, the hosts gave themselves a vital lead going into the final period.

As the score read 63-53 with one period left in the contest.

It was important that the Dragons didn’t get complacent in this final period, despite the
fitness of the Hurricanes becoming an issue, the hosts couldn’t let them get any momentum
or encouragement. This wasn’t the case as the game turned from a 10 point contest to a three point affair. With five minutes left, the Dragons trailed the period 8-15 and left themselves with a three point lead. The tension began to grow with the tie level and with 56 seconds left on the clock. An important foul and free throw converted by Johnson gave the
Dragons the lead and a defensive rebound and foul on David Ulph allowed the hosts to breathe and regroup, with 20 seconds left.

Despite a late three point effort from the Hurricanes, it was the Dragons who came out victorious in a 75-73 encounter and a performance that shows despite them not being at
their best they can come through with a victory.