Dragons 21 - 20 Ospreys

First topic message reminder :

Dragons resisted a late comeback from Ospreys to clinch a much-needed 21-20 Pro12 victory at Rodney Parade on Friday.

The Dragons beat Welsh opposition for the first time this season as they held on for victory in an entertaining game.

With this being the last round of RaboDirect PRO12 matches before the start of the Six Nations, a host of players were hoping to make the Welsh selectors sit up and take notice.

Dragons did not look like a side who had not won in their previous six outings when Jason Tovey's penalty opened the scoring after 8 minutes.

The Ospreys' poor start was compounded when second-row Ian Evans was sin-binned by referee James Jones for a professional foul. Tovey added another penalty to give the home side a 6-0 lead.

Matthew Morgan's penalty for a scrum offence by the Dragons reduced the deficit to 6-3.

The latter stages of the half were frantic as Morgan and Tovey exchanged penalties, whilst Dragons' winger Tonderai Chavhanga was then yellow carded for deliberately slapping the ball down.

Just seconds later, Ospreys flank Tom Smith was sent to the bin for a ruck infringement on the stroke of half-time.

A successful Morgan penalty in the early stages of the second half levelled the scores 9-9.

Two tries in quick succession from Martyn Thomas and replacement Lewis Robling gave the Dragons a deserved 21-9 lead.

Morgan's fourth penalty of the night took the score to 21-12. Replacement fly-half Dan Biggar's penalty propelled the Ospreys within a converted try of the Dragons.

The Swansea side then showed their class by scoring from first-phase possession when replacement Tommy Bowe crashed over. Biggar was unable to give the visitors the lead for the first time in the match when he missed his conversion.

Biggar was again in the spotlight when his missed drop-goal in the dying moments of the game gave the Dragons a much-needed win.

The scorers:

For Dragons:
Tries: Thomas, Robling
Cons: Tovey
Pens: Tovey 3

For Ospreys:
Try: Bowe
Pens: Morgan 4, Biggar

Yellow cards: Evans ( Ospreys - 12th min); Chavhanga (Dragons - 39th min); Smith ( Ospreys - 40th min)

Lloyd Burns has been replaced tonight by Steven Jones due to Illness.

This is a kick fest.

3 - 0 dragons

9 minutes gone

Artful_Dodger wrote:This is a kick fest.

Well "emerdale" is on three why don't you watch that...!

Ospreys off their feet slowing ball down at consecutive rucks. James Jones decides to yellow card Ian Evans


Tovey misses the kick at the posts though.

What a terrible game so far - no wonder attendances are falling, as a welsh derby his should be full of intensity, passion and skill. Neither team seems botheerd and he skill levels on show are laughable.

Dire stuff, really poor.

To ey converts their penalty awarded for Captain Tuperic picking up the ball offside.

I wonder if SJ would still insist that the Blues are the new Galacticos when the Os have a bench boasting best part of 300 international caps.

Dragons scrum working well

is Smith injured again?!

Looks like it robling on instead of him

Looks like it robling on instead of him

rugbydreamer wrote:is Smith injured again?!

Robling on.

Not very bright by Wayne Evans there.

6 - 3

Tovey has a bit of a limp

he can't have fully recovered from his knock to the knee maes.

The game has been interrupted by persistent whistle blowing by ref James Jones though the last ten minutes has seen more ball in hand in play.

rugbydreamer wrote:he can't have fully recovered from his knock to the knee maes.

No I was surprised as many others to see him start.

Shame as he has been blighted by injury.

Morgan converts a penalty to draw the scores at 6 all

The James Jones show continues.

Jiffy is so pro Ospreys its ridiculous

Very harsh yellow for chavi and beck was lucky not to get 1

A great final five minutes unfortunately Tom smith cynically slows the ball I front of the posts after Barry Davies puts in a brave tackle on a charging faletau.

Another yellow card. Three so far this game.

Tovey converts the kick 9 - 6 to Dragons at halftime.

Get in there Toby. What a player.

Steve Jones has Had a great half.

My view has been slightly obstructed....by Scott Johnson's nose!!

What a dg attempt by b davies

Great break faletau

Both regions are really trying to play some rugby...

J Thomas on

Good to see Matthew Morgan has got his kicking back to his previous high standard.

Lovely tackle on brew as well.

Try Martyn's Thomas... Great back play.

the try was coming, and well deserved for the Dragons.

14 - 9 to dragons. 50 mins gone...

great break by Brew.

Another cracking tackle on Brew by Morgan.

Wonderful break by brew previously to set will harries free.

Little Morgan does not back out of tackles fair play to him.

Morgan may not back out of tackles Cymro but he's not very good at them!


Intercept by Dragons and try!

Interception try.

Robling

Try for robling

O's unleashing their bench now, going to be a tough last 20 for the Dragons.

Why is Barry Davies taking the restarts?

No James Hook to bring on this time to threaten, if the Dragons don't win this they need shooting.

no but they have the likes of Adam Jones to bring on alun, O's scrum looking very good now. The replacement O's forwards are plenty good enough to win this game for them.

rugbydreamer wrote:O's unleashing their bench now, going to be a tough last 20 for the Dragons.

Why is Barry Davies taking the restarts?

Shaun holly didn't like Morgans restarts last week.

He converts a big penalty. Then substituted for Biggar.

21 - 12 dragons 57 mins

Sorry Morgan is still on the pitch

Wow what a try!

brilliant try!

Ooo...!

Ashley Beck, very tidy.

Try Bowe

Unfortunately two forward passes and Biggar missed the kick as if Devine justice intervened over ruling the ref...!

21 - 20

forward passes missed but still a great try in broken play.

Dragons hanging on by the skin of their teeth.

Beck surely must be pushing for inclusion in the six nations squad.

Toby Faletau has been awesome, would be very surprised if he isnt man of the match

Matthew JOnes why did you kick that away?! there's only a minute left!!!

Toby has been sublime..!

As has Adam Jones, Lewis Evans Danny Lydiate and earlier Steve Jones too.

Great back row....!

But Toby Faletau what a llayer