Dragons 21 - 20 Ospreys

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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)

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

Yeah, i cant see Gatland leaving him out of the training squad to poland.

Poor composure by both teams

Great win but coaches lose the game again, changes too late.

Biggar cracks under pressure the dragons deserve that win.

What a great game

Toby man of the match for a super human performance...!

21 - 20 to the dragons

what a finish!!

Drop Goal off the post from Biggar in the last play of the match, crazy end!

Nailbiter, I blydi loved it, best game I've seen in the Pro12 for youngs.

Unlucky O's but that was a great Dragons performance, their best for ages, Faletau - the guy's epic. What a player.

Da iawn Dragons

Faletau was outstanding under great pressure.

I cannot believe how much Faletau is improving with every game, he has to be the first name on the team sheet for the 6 nations. Lydiate, Warburton and Faletau - what an outstanding back row they're going to be.

I don't want to sound too bitter (we won after all!), but Jonathan Davies' reaction to 2 forward passes during the ospreys try was that we should sometimes let those sort of things go in the interest of good rugby. What!!? What a d*ck. He'd be screaming for TMO's to be used more, the linesman to do his job, etc. if it was against his beloved Ospreys, as he normally does.

Good to see the worst region beating the most overrated one!

TO be fair to Jiffy (even though he's really starting to annoy him), I;ve heard him grumble about the forward pass rulings before, what he said tonight is nothing new, and not anti dragons.

SafeAsMilk wrote:Good to see the worst region beating the most overrated one!

Overrated by who ? All I have seen on here and in the press is people criticising the Ospreys

Brilliant game.

Toby Faletau seems to become a better player every game.

The Ospreys need a decent flyhalf if they are to improve, Morgan's defence was good for once but the throw away try and missed kick was expensive. Baggar is no better considering how many games he has had, he always cracks at the Dragons, he was lucky with the 5m forward pass, possibly Bowe had over run him but when it counts he fails.

Well played Dragons, keep Brew in the centre far better performance this week against a weaken team but even the Ospreys reserves are a strong team.

Cymroglan wrote:

SafeAsMilk wrote:Good to see the worst region beating the most overrated one!

Overrated by who ? All I have seen on here and in the press is people criticising the Ospreys

At least 8 people thought the "One True Region" would win this game, so there's a start

Swiftly becoming the inform European number 8,

Faletau amazing again, Martyn Thomas very impressive as well

Safeasmilk:

I for one thought the Ospreys would win but that was before I saw the team selection and I suspect the others made the same selection.

why are people thinking Matthew Morgan defended well? He didn't, he was targeted numerous times and on at least 3 occasions a dragons player got outside/through him and really put the pressure on the O's. Needs to improve that part of his game asap.

Very pleased if Thomas makes training squad

munkian wrote:Swiftly becoming the inform European number 8,

He certainly is. But credit has to also go to Lydiate and Evans for their hard work too.

The skill level of faletau is amazing. He seems to make more yards and more tackles than anyone else around. So very impressive, comes across in interview as such a nice lad too.

rugbydreamer wrote:why are people thinking Matthew Morgan defended well? He didn't, he was targeted numerous times and on at least 3 occasions a dragons player got outside/through him and really put the pressure on the O's. Needs to improve that part of his game asap.

I think it's for the three crucial tackles ha made. His bad pass and missed kick let him down but again it was great to see his youthful exuberance flowing with such effavessence.

Sure he made 3 tackles but he missed/failed to complete at least 3 as well.

Intercept pass I'll let go, that happens and a lot of it was down to the whole of the O's backline being stood to flat anyways. Thought he kicked well for the most part, certainly got lots to work on though

Well he is still a teenager. So there is plenty of time for him. But in a year of watching him I believe he is learning at a ver fast and positive rate. Each game is a development.

Credit has to go to the ospreys for giving him opportunities and patience with his flaws. He will prove a value to them soon I am positive.

The club house is buzzing. Dragons deserved it, but what a tight finish.
The Spar are offering 5p for anyone who returns Dan Biggars bottle!!

Ha ha ha...!

Have a fun night mate

rugbydreamer wrote:TO be fair to Jiffy (even though he's really starting to annoy him), I;ve heard him grumble about the forward pass rulings before, what he said tonight is nothing new, and not anti dragons.

I don't agree, he was squealing when the Ospreys got a break and very reluctant to offer the Dragons any praise. He criticized a lot of penalties against the Ospreys and called for yellow cards for Dragons players. He's ALWAYS nursing a semi for the Os.

Cheers Maesteg.
I'm gonna watch the game back tomorrow. In fairness Jiffy can sometimes annoy, but I think he's always fair. There were a few strange calls from Jones tonight.
On the game. Steve Jones was superb. Martyn Thomas looked back to his best, but just how good was Faletau. He's quite simply superb.
We needed this win tonight and in the end looked like a team that had lost it's last 6.
The MOB did well!!!

Dragons deserved the win. Hopefully it will inspire them to carry on such performances.

Rugby was the winner tonight though.

Some game. What a difference to see Dragons players running on to the ball every now and then! If we're not careful, Toby's going to get sick of making breaks, looking 'round and finding no one on his shoulder. But we won. Hooray and thank feck for Gwent, we won!

Also, a word for Lewis Robling. A good rugby player and it must have been music to his ears to have the crowd cheering his interception try after they'd mocked his missed kicks against the Scarlets. Ma' Lewis yn siarad Cymraeg, felly: da iawn ti, Lewis!

You had to feel for Robling.

I was gutted to see the interception thrown, but kind of glad the recipient was a man who deserves a boost to his confidence.

He looks a talent, let's hope this spurs him on well to bring out the best in his game.

One other thing: I paid a fiver to upgrade my Hazell Terrace season ticket for a seat in the new Bisley stand, and it's so, so good. It'll never match the Hazell, but it doesn't try to. It's just a very good place to watch rugby.

And yes, there's banter

luckless_pedestrian wrote:One other thing: I paid a fiver to upgrade my Hazell Terrace season ticket for a seat in the new Bisley stand, and it's so, so good. It'll never match the Hazell, but it doesn't try to. It's just a very good place to watch rugby.

And yes, there's banter

Luckless, we've done the same for the last 3 games too! Good isn't it? Mainly, the mini-Millenium stadium feel to the bar area! And quick to get served too! Plus, I can actually see tries scored in all 4 corners! It's not the Hazell terrace, you're right, but it's good in its own right. Thinking of getting a season ticket there next season!

Just got back from the game, no complaints for the loss, the Ospreys were never in the lead, I thought we'd take control after half time when we started bringing on the subs, but the Dragons nailed us with those 2 quick tries and killed us off.

It would of been an injustice if we'd won that game to be honest, Well done to the Dragons.

Same here, Griff. I'll pay a few shekels more but I reckon it's more than worth it.

AlynDavies wrote:Just got back from the game, no complaints for the loss, the Ospreys were never in the lead, I thought we'd take control after half time when we started bringing on the subs, but the Dragons nailed us with those 2 quick tries and killed us off.

It would of been an injustice if we'd won that game to be honest, Well done to the Dragons.

What you driving these days Alyn..? And is it street legal...?

Os mae'n siarad Cymraeg fella gall e gwneud lan rhai 'calls' (gallwadau) yng Cymraeg gyda Brew.

If he speaks Welsh maybe he can make up some calls in Welsh with Brew

maestegmafia wrote:What you driving these days Alyn..? And is it street legal...?

a 23 ton truck by day and tonight i was deiriving some massive green nissan jeep thing, with alloys it went like lightening, it only took 30-35 minutes to get from bridgend to newport!

I'm suprised more people aren't going on about the foward passes for Bowe's try.

It's mad how much the scrum changed when Ospreys brought on their big guns on!

Glad Robling got the interception, but felt really sorry for Biggar that a really good attempt hit the post as I feel he did quite well and could do with some confidence (or at least do without these knocks to his confidence) before going in to the 6N. (and yes I'm aware that he's an arrogant so and so but everyone needs some confidence)

manofgwent wrote:The club house is buzzing. Dragons deserved it, but what a tight finish.
The Spar are offering 5p for anyone who returns Dan Biggars bottle!!

He has plenty of bottle so don't worry about that. It just sums up the NGD fans celebrating at the final whistle as if they'd won the Heinken cup.

As for the game the Ospreys were woeful, suprise, and the Dragons thouroughly deserve the win. Great start to the 2nd half and am excellant first try. Take nowt away from the NGD's but SJ needs to head to Scotland NOW! Just poor from the first whistle. God know's what mindset or gameplan the players have but they look scared :censored:less on the ball. Well done the Dragons

I thought Beck and R Jones were excellent and when Evans wasn't seeing red he looked decent.

It's funny but B Davies looks so solid at FB but I can't remember the last time I saw him attacking, coming into the line at pace or chipping and running

Breadvan, it wasn't dissimilar to the last time the Os were down: they could have won the game if they'd kept it tight, but it's as if they felt an obligation to run the ball. Then again, if I had a footballer like Ashley Beck on my books I'd want us to run the ball too. He's some player.

Breadvan wrote:It just sums up the NGD fans celebrating at the final whistle as if they'd won the Heinken cup. :rol

What an appallingly out of place comment....! Fans were celebrating as it was good to get a win, in an excellent game, only their third of the year and against the second placed team in the league.

I guess nanny never told you that if you cant say anything nice, say nothing at all...!

A great ground (love Rodders), a great result for NGD and a fantastic example of what Welsh club rugby should be all about; a bespoked stadium, 8-10k fans, proper beer on tap at reasonable prices and not worrying about football matches.

luckless_pedestrian wrote:Breadvan, it wasn't dissimilar to the last time the Os were down: they could have won the game if they'd kept it tight, but it's as if they felt an obligation to run the ball. Then again, if I had a footballer like Ashley Beck on my books I'd want us to run the ball too. He's some player.

He's been our best player so far.

maestegmafia wrote:

Breadvan wrote:It just sums up the NGD fans celebrating at the final whistle as if they'd won the Heinken cup. :rol

What an appallingly out of place comment....! Fans were celebrating as it was good to get a win, in an excellent game, only their third of the year and against the second placed team in the league.

I guess nanny never told you that if you cant say anything nice, say nothing at all...!

er...No. I mean the NGD's take beating the O's as a cup final win when they've been doing it for years! Get over it!

https://youtu.be/466Uca3L_lo

Breadvan. We would have celebrated like that had it been any team. We just needed a win.
Personally I'm a Dragons fan who is fed up of our boys just turning up when we play another region. It simply isn't enough anymore. To be taken seriously weve got to get our away form sorted.

All teams have dans who aren't good winners, but just take a look at Maesteg. A true sports fan.

They celebrated a close win over a rival in a game they desperately needed to win to get their season back on track Breadvan

Get over it

Smirnoffpriest wrote:They celebrated a close win over a rival in a game they desperately needed to win to get their season back on track Breadvan

Get over it

+1

I think we all like to see good rugby first, and thats what we got here. I am sad my team lost, I am unhappy with their current form. I thought some of our lads did well. But i was very impressed with the Dragons...!

Lets hope they can keep up that level of play from now on and creep up the board