Newport Gwent Dragons v Glasgow Warriors, 25 February

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Newport Gwent Dragons v Glasgow Warriors
Thursday 25 February 2016
KO 19:05
Rodders Parade

Live on BBC Wales and BBC Alba

Referee: Gary Conway (IRFU, 22nd competition game)
Assistant Referees: Leighton Hodges, Dai Cambourne (WRU)
Citing Commissioner: Aurwel Morgan (WRU)
TMO: Paul Adams (WRU)

A. Head to Head

25 Played 25
13 Wins 10
10 Losses 13
2 Draws 2
479 Points 545

B. Form

Glasgow Warriors 29 - 15 Newport Gwent Dragons
16th October 2015

Glasgow Warriors 19 - 15 Newport Gwent Dragons
30th November 2014

Newport Gwent Dragons 13 - 33 Glasgow Warriors
20th September 2014

C. Teams
Newport Gwent Dragons 

Carl Meyer, Ashton Hewitt, Adam Hughes, Adam Warren, Nick Scott, Angus O'Brien, Sarel Pretorius; Phil Price, Thomas Rhys Thomas (capt), Brok Harris, Cory Hill, Matthew Screech, Nick Crosswell, Nic Cudd, Lewis Evans.

Replacements: Rhys Buckley, Hugh Gustafson, Lloyd Fairbrother, Rynard Landman, James Benjamin, Charlie Davies, Geraint Rhys Jones, Ross Wardle.

Glasgow Warriors

Peter Murchie; Taqele Naiyaravoro, Glenn Bryce, Alex Dunbar, Rory Hughes; Duncan Weir, Mike Blair; Jerry Yanuyanutawa, Fraser Brown, Sila Puafisi, Greg Peterson, Leone Nakarawa, Rob Harley, Simon Favaro, Josh Strauss (capt).

Replacements: James Malcolm, Gordon Reid, Zander Ferguson, James Eddie, Chris Fusaro, Grayson Hart, Fraser Lyle, Lee Jones.

Griff wrote:

jimbopip wrote:I think that's an extremely strong Glasgow side, given that it's a 6Nations weekend. The replacement front row is excellent, there is real pace in the backs ( normally I would say, "Once you get the ball past Meatball." but he was electric against Munster) and the starting back row is one to terrify most opposition.

So, it's either a 5 point win and the charge for a top four spot really kicks on from here  OR the Dragons smother the ball all night long and we come away with nothing and spend the rest of the season scrabbling for a top six spot.  
Its one or the other tomorrow, I can't see it being close for either side.

Because that's all we can possibly do?!  How rude!

That is indeed what you lot do. Not since the days of the Dragons being Glasgow's bogey team (Dragons still hold the head-to-head record) have you actually beaten the Weegies with flair, rather than hiding the ball up a jumper and telling the opposition the ball was stolen and that they can't find it... Whether you mean to or not...

Harsh but fairly accurate.  


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A Simply Mesmeric Try wrote:

Griff wrote:

jimbopip wrote:I think that's an extremely strong Glasgow side, given that it's a 6Nations weekend. The replacement front row is excellent, there is real pace in the backs ( normally I would say, "Once you get the ball past Meatball." but he was electric against Munster) and the starting back row is one to terrify most opposition.

So, it's either a 5 point win and the charge for a top four spot really kicks on from here  OR the Dragons smother the ball all night long and we come away with nothing and spend the rest of the season scrabbling for a top six spot.  
Its one or the other tomorrow, I can't see it being close for either side.

Because that's all we can possibly do?!  How rude!

That is indeed what you lot do. Not since the days of the Dragons being Glasgow's bogey team (Dragons still hold the head-to-head record) have you actually beaten the Weegies with flair, rather than hiding the ball up a jumper and telling the opposition the ball was stolen and that they can't find it... Whether you mean to or not...

Harsh but fairly accurate.  

It would be accurate if we had the forwards to do that.  But we haven't.  We've been scoring some good tries this season by getting the ball to exciting backs like Hallam Amos (not playing in this one), Ashton Hewitt, Adam Hughes, et al.  I'm not predicting a win for us by any stretch of the imagination.  It could happen, but I'm not that confident.  But neither do I think that we can only play England 2003-esque rugby either.

On the point of being your bogey team, yes I agree that we seem to have been that in the past few years (although you've handed us some whoopings too). But that has not always been the case. The reason we still hold the head to head is that, in the early days of the league, we were just much better than you. I'd never expect to lose to Glasgow back in the early 2000s because, well... it was 'just Glasgow'! But you've had an upturn in fortunes, we've got worse or stayed the same and now you're much better than us. So bogey team recently but not so in the past I feel. I just wish a similar turnaround could be done with the Dragons...

Griff wrote:On the point of being your bogey team, yes I agree that we seem to have been that in the past few years (although you've handed us some whoopings too).  But that has not always been the case.  The reason we still hold the head to head is that, in the early days of the league, we were just much better than you.  I'd never expect to lose to Glasgow back in the early 2000s because, well... it was 'just Glasgow'!  But you've had an upturn in fortunes, we've got worse or stayed the same and now you're much better than us.  So bogey team recently but not so in the past I feel.  I just wish a similar turnaround could be done with the Dragons...

Have we ever been much better than anyone?

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

Griff wrote:On the point of being your bogey team, yes I agree that we seem to have been that in the past few years (although you've handed us some whoopings too).  But that has not always been the case.  The reason we still hold the head to head is that, in the early days of the league, we were just much better than you.  I'd never expect to lose to Glasgow back in the early 2000s because, well... it was 'just Glasgow'!  But you've had an upturn in fortunes, we've got worse or stayed the same and now you're much better than us.  So bogey team recently but not so in the past I feel.  I just wish a similar turnaround could be done with the Dragons...

Have we ever been much better than anyone?

Well, we beat Glasgow at home the first 4 seasons in a row since we were formed.  Not sure how that isn't a sign that we were better than them.  They then beat us at home 2007/08 season (14-20) and the following season, we beat them then following two, we had a draw in 2011, and have been struggling against them since (but a win 2 years ago).  So in the early days I'd say were better, yes. This 'bogey' thing was when we were finishing often much higher than them in the league. 'Bogey team' usually refers to a poorer team that you expect to beat because you're much higher up the league.

Better, perhaps; it was the 'much better' I was getting at.

It's hard to quantify much better I suppose, but in those early years we finished:

2003: Us Joint 2nd; Glasgow 11th
2004: Us 4th; Glasgow 6th
2005: Us 8th; Glasgow bottom
2006: Us 9th; Glasgow 7th.

So the early wins were by a team finishing higher up the league. And that's when the fortunes start to turn...

It is a shame about Newport. I used to live in between Cardiff and Newport before 2003 (Marshfield if anyone knows it). Rodney Parade always had a better atmosphere than CAP (and I remember there being lots of games for a 8-10 year old outside the ground) and I far preferred Newport as a result. Never got the investment to kick on, partly because the WRU claimed to have no money and partly due to poor planning.

Nostalgia aside I don't know what the future holds for Newport, but at the moment they are the gritty underdogs who provide an occasional upset. You are now a bogey side for Glasgow or at least it feels that way from times you have run us close. If you play open against Glasgow, this should be a try fest.

Hazel Sapling wrote:It is a shame about Newport. I used to live in between Cardiff and Newport before 2003 (Marshfield if anyone knows it). Rodney Parade always had a better atmosphere than CAP (and I remember there being lots of games for a 8-10 year old outside the ground) and I far preferred Newport as a result. Never got the investment to kick on, partly because the WRU claimed to have no money and partly due to poor planning.

Nostalgia aside I don't know what the future holds for Newport, but at the moment they are the gritty underdogs who provide an occasional upset. You are now a bogey side for Glasgow or at least it feels that way from times you have run us close. If you play open against Glasgow, this should be a try fest.

Funnily enough at first I though you were a Dragons fan due to the name (Hazell stand being one of the stands at RP)!  Yes, I know Marshfield quite well.  I played Golf at Peterstone Lakes just a few weeks back which is close and ride the bike there on occasion (because it's pretty flat, whereas Newport is full of big hills!).

Griff wrote:On the point of being your bogey team, yes I agree that we seem to have been that in the past few years (although you've handed us some whoopings too).  But that has not always been the case.  The reason we still hold the head to head is that, in the early days of the league, we were just much better than you.  I'd never expect to lose to Glasgow back in the early 2000s because, well... it was 'just Glasgow'!  But you've had an upturn in fortunes, we've got worse or stayed the same and now you're much better than us.  So bogey team recently but not so in the past I feel.  I just wish a similar turnaround could be done with the Dragons...

This is true. Glasgow were utterly abysmal in the early years of the Celtic League.

Jings with all the stuff Hazel's had to endure since joining about his chosen name (now Welsh woman rather than Scottish bloke) I reckon we should be looking at alternative arboreal-based names that leaves nothing to doubt.

I for one suggest Red Spruce in honor of a certain Ginger flanker.

Eejit wrote:Jings with all the stuff Hazel's had to endure since joining about his chosen name (now Welsh woman rather than Scottish bloke) I reckon we should be looking at alternative arboreal-based names that leaves nothing to doubt.

I for one suggest Red Spruce in honor of a certain Ginger flanker.

The Hazell in Hazell stand relates to Hazell Haulage (our sponsor/investor/director) rather than a Welsh women's name!

funnyExiledScot wrote:

Griff wrote:On the point of being your bogey team, yes I agree that we seem to have been that in the past few years (although you've handed us some whoopings too).  But that has not always been the case.  The reason we still hold the head to head is that, in the early days of the league, we were just much better than you.  I'd never expect to lose to Glasgow back in the early 2000s because, well... it was 'just Glasgow'!  But you've had an upturn in fortunes, we've got worse or stayed the same and now you're much better than us.  So bogey team recently but not so in the past I feel.  I just wish a similar turnaround could be done with the Dragons...

This is true. Glasgow were utterly abysmal in the early years of the Celtic League.

Perhaps 'much' better was a stretch, as Luckless pointed out. But our relative trajectories have definitely gone in opposite directions, maybe crossing around 2007 where we were of similar league standings for a year or 2.

Griff wrote:

Eejit wrote:Jings with all the stuff Hazel's had to endure since joining about his chosen name (now Welsh woman rather than Scottish bloke) I reckon we should be looking at alternative arboreal-based names that leaves nothing to doubt.

I for one suggest Red Spruce in honor of a certain Ginger flanker.

The Hazell in Hazell stand relates to Hazell Haulage (our sponsor/investor/director) rather than a Welsh women's name!

I should clarify that the female part was a reference to Jimbo turning on the (considerable) charm the other day on the Glasgow Munster thread.

Eejit wrote:Jings with all the stuff Hazel's had to endure since joining about his chosen name (now Welsh woman rather than Scottish bloke) I reckon we should be looking at alternative arboreal-based names that leaves nothing to doubt.

I for one suggest Red Spruce in honor of a certain Ginger flanker.

I will probably get converted to an Irish leprechaun next  

Top O' the morning to yis, Ms O'Sapling.

Griff, I wasn't meaning to be rude, but given the backs we have out feel free to encourage your side to play fast and loose in the wide open spaces.

The point I was really trying to make is that this game will turn out to be either a springboard for a charge to the play offs or the beginning of the end of our reign as champions. Given the teams selected the outcome is totally in the hands of one team, if Glasgow play to their ability it's a no contest. However, the Dragons have proved themselves capable of not allowing Glasgow that luxury. (Hope that clears it up)

While Jim continues to dig himself deeper into this hole, can anyone PM me a link for the game?

My VPN plus IPlayer isn't working. I blame Nicola Sturgeon.

Look at the state of the pitch!

George Carlin wrote:While Jim continues to dig himself deeper into this hole, can anyone PM me a link for the game?

My VPN plus IPlayer isn't working. I blame Nicola Sturgeon.

Anyone? No? Bueller? Bueller?

Glasgow's handling has been so poor.

Dragons much the better team!

What was Greg/Geoff/Oscar carded for?

Blocking the player from a kick through bit Glasgow were scrambling back after a break out and any number of players could probably have been carded!

Naka could do with holding onto the ball sometimes!

If D Cameron kept his election promises this would be a 7 a side game.

Jesus, that pitch is a mess.

Making hard work of this so far.

Duncan Weir doing an uncanny impression of a cotton bud.

None of the Glasgow players proving Cotter wrong currently!

Uncharacteristic of Murchie. Fraser Brown is going to get himself carded if he doesn't calm down.

Is Gordy Reid wearing a bra? That's some cleavage!

Good defence Glasgow but they've been desperately poor and have lost the ref

Dragons much better

Classic DunkyMeatBall drop goal.

To an extent Glasgow have the ref, I think. Missed your 14 taking a man off the ball straight from kick off (he's hard to miss mind) and he bottled a yellow just after warning (I assume) Strauss and gave us minuscule advantage when Angus cross kicked.

Not a bad half. Just need to make any opportunity near the 22 count now. Depends how Lyp uses the bench this week too

Alec Dunbar!

Dunbar!!!

What a ridiculous decision

I missed it - what happened?

Try disallowed for no reason.

What did the ref say as the reason/

RDW_Scotland wrote:What did the ref say as the reason/

Reid was part of the ruck, so would have had to disengage and come in past the last back foot to pick it up.

Player was part of the ruck so out of play, decided to break away from the ruck, pick up the ball and score a try. Illegal according to the ref.

I really don't understand short 22 drop outs - at best you gather it then just end up kicking it away anyway, at worst you give away possession in front of your 22 like what's happened here!

If ever a game was to be described as 'scrappy' this would be it!

There's a few moany folk in the crowd tonight - nothing wrong with that try!

The commentary team were unsure RDW. I'd say it was marginal. Very close to forward!

RDW_Scotland wrote:There's a few moany folk in the crowd tonight - nothing wrong with that try!

The Dave's always a hostile place to go eh.

Tense stuff this.

Well that was sh!t

Aye, that was a load of baws. Wish I'd gone to the pub instead.

A win's a win is all we can say about that!

4 points and Dunbar coming through unscathed the main positives.

Seen the disallowed try - you see those given!

Dragons robbed - looked forward.

Glasgow naive - need control and hard yards first before you start trying miracle passes. First five minutes of second half aside no proper go forward.