Elliot Dee’s first-half try proved the perfect platform as Newport Gwent Dragons held on to claim local bragging rights in the GUINNESS PRO12 despite a late Cardiff Blues onslaught. In a hard-fought first-half Dee’s try proved the difference as the visitors headed into the break 13-3 ahead. The Dragons were soon afforded a penalty try after the break and must have thought they were comfortable as they looked to inflict a first BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park defeat on the Blues in five games in all competitions. But the hosts refused to lie down as Jarrad Hoeata and Tavis Knoyle went over in quick succession, however it was too little too late as the Dragons held on for the win. The opening quarter of an hour was a tight affair with neither side willing to give their Welsh rivals an inch on this Boxing Day clash. However first blood was drawn by the visitors as Tom Prydie put the Dragons three points ahead with a penalty kick. Shortly afterwards Gareth Davies had a chance to kick the Blues level but he sent his attempt wide of the uprights. And the hosts were made to pay as the Dragons were soon on the attack and although Morgan knocked on the visitors won back possession and after a Jason Tovey kick to the corner Dee rumbled over from the resulting driving maul. Prydie added the conversion and the Dragons had a ten-point lead after half an hour. The Dragons looked to add to their scoreline and although a Tovey drop goal was charged down, Prydie was successful with another penalty from the 22m line. The hosts were rocked but just before half-time Davies stepped up to land a penalty as they headed in at the break trailing 13-3. Things didn’t get much better after the restart however as the Dragons were soon awarded a penalty try with Prydie converted to stretch their lead to 20-3. This woke the Cardiff Blues up but despite pressuring on the Newport Gwent Dragons tryline, poor passing, handling or the hosts’ defence kept them out. But just after the hour the hosts did finally cross the whitewash as Hoeata broke through the defence to dot down, Gareth Anscombe adding the extras. And soon the home fans were celebrating another score as Knoyle made it across the tryline, Anscombe again converting to bring the Blues to within three points with eight minutes left. Prydie however hit another three-pointer to double the Dragons’ lead, and they soon thought they had the game safe when Dorian Jones broke clear and touched down. However the Television Match Official ruled the Dragons had knocked on, but it didn’t matter as they held on for the win. Follow us on Facebook, join the conversation on Twitter, sign up to our YouTube channel for extensive match highlights and sign up for our newsletter for regular updates on the GUINNESS PRO12
