Hugh Gustafson’s first GUINNESS PRO12 try of the season helped Newport Gwent Dragons enact some revenge on Edinburgh, damaging the Scottish side’s chances of European rugby next term in the process. Having lost out in their European semi-final clash, Dragons welcomed Edinburgh to Rodney Parade looking to get their own back. And they did exactly that as Jason Tovey and Tom Prydie kicked the home side into a 9-0 half-time lead before Gustafson went over for the game’s first score on the hour. Stuart McInally replied but it was too little too late, the result meaning the Dragons can finish no lower than ninth this GUINNESS PRO12 season, all the while hampering Edinburgh’s chances of finishing in the top six. The home side made a fast start to the clash and pushed Edinburgh back from the kick-off, winning a penalty at the scrum with Tovey kicking the Dragons into an early lead. However, the contest became quite stop-start after this with both sides cancelling each other out. Visiting fans did get excited after a neat break by Phil Burleigh who then set Dougie Fife off, but the Dragons snuffed out the danger and cleared their lines with a penalty. And that was as good as it got for the Scottish side in the opening 40 minutes as the home side dominated, Tovey missing a penalty 30m in front of the posts after he was clattered by opposite number Jack Cuthbert. But Tovey was successful with his next kick in front of the sticks and again before Prydie took over and made it 9-0 to the home side with the final play of the first half after Hamish Watson was pinged at a ruck. Much like the opening exchanges, hosts Newport started the second half well only to see Tovey miss with an early drop goal attempt. But the Dragons kept their foot on the pedal and after WP Nel was sinbinned for illegally stopping a maul the home side immediately made their man advantage count as Gustafson barged over, Tovey adding the extras. This sparked the visitors into life and after a period of sustained pressured McInally crept over in the corner to get Edinburgh on the scoresheet. Tom Heathcote missed his conversion attempt and at the other end Tovey added a penalty – via the crossbar – to rubberstamp Newport’s victory. 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
