The Newport Gwent Dragons won for the first time in nine encounters with the Scarlets thanks to a power-packed first half display at Stradey Park this afternoon.

September 2006 was the last time the Dragons won away in the league, but today in an impressive showing, first half tries from Rhys Thomas and Gareth Wyatt helped guide the region to their first ever triumph at Stradey Park.

Ending a miserable run of eight successive defeats to the Scarlets, Paul Turner’s side were 20-0 up in as many minutes in front of a 5,923-strong crowd. Their first try, dotted down after only 58 seconds, was set up by on-loan winger Richard Mustoe who ran the kick-off back with gusto and the hosts were stunned when prop Thomas piled over the line.

The score will go down in Magners League history as Tony Rowlands, who was called upon by referee James Jones, became the league’s first Television Match official to be used in awarding a try.

Ten minutes later Dragons winger Wyatt intercepted a Ceiron Thomas pass to run over from halfway for the visitors’ second try. Former Scarlets fly-half Aled Thomas converted both touchdowns and tagged on three penalties for a 23-3 interval lead for the Dragons.

The Scarlets’ only response up to that point had been a Ceiron Thomas penalty, but stung into action by Phil Davies’ half-time words, they set up winger Garan Evans for a slick try.

Replacement prop Iestyn Thomas was bundled over for another Scarlets seven-pointer after a well-worked lineout drive and a Ceiron Thomas penalty, following the sin-binning of Aled Thomas, reduced the arrears to just three points.

Down to 14 men, the Dragons had some work on their hands to hold on for the win but they managed to do so with busy scrum half Andy Williams scoring a deserved try.

Centre Phil Dolman converted to stretch the visitors’ lead to 30-20, and although Ceiron Thomas swung over a subsequent penalty, Turner’s troops held firm as the Scarlets lost for only the second time in 20 home league games.