Two tries from Tom Prydie helped earn Newport Gwent Dragons victory over Benetton Treviso although they were pushed all the way after a spirited second-half showing from the Italians.

Dragons had appeared to be well on track for their sixth GUINNESS PRO12 victory of the season after tries from Jonathan Evans and Hallam Amos – the latter starting and finishing a move that had begun under the
visitors’ own posts – handed them a 17-0 lead at half time.

But the Italians rallied with two converted tries plus a penalty from Jayden Hayward bringing them to within three points of their opponents.

That was until man of the match Prydie had the final say, showing his pace at the end to twice win the race for the ball and add gloss to what was a hard-fought Dragons win.

The first real moment of quality provided the opening try of the night and it came via a solo effort from Evans on 18 minutes.

With Wales building the pressure, the scrum half picked up the ball, rode three tackles before making a dash for the line.

Prydie added the extras although he failed to find the target just a few minutes later with a penalty leaving Dragons leading 7-0.

To their credit, Treviso looked to hit back and, after a period of expansive passing in the middle of the pitch, they worked their way into Dragons 22 but they could not find the breakthrough.

It was then the turn of the visitors to attack and when Treviso were pinged for not releasing the player, Prydie stepped up to add another three points on 32 minutes.

With the break approaching, the hosts went in search of the Dragons line but in a matter of seconds, their opponents had turned over possession to launch a counter attack in devastating fashion.

Picking up the ball under his own posts, Amos darted out to towards the left touch line, supported by Dorian Jones and Jack Dixon.

Slick passing between the three then saw Amos pick up the ball again, and he sprinted into the far corner to round off a great move, Prydie adding the conversion for a 17-0 half-time lead.

Dragons continued to apply the pressure after the break and soon added another three points to their total with a simple Prydie penalty from in front of the posts.

But the Italians were not ready to roll over just yet and a period of sustained possession saw them recycle the ball out to the left where Enrico Bacchin picked up the ball before dissecting the Dragons defence on 46 minutes. Hayward was on target with the conversion as the hosts closed the gap to 13.

The momentum was with the hosts and they almost got a second try of the night but Simone Ragusi was unable to gather the cross field kick.

However they were not to be denied long, and with referee Ian Davies taking play back to a five metre scrum, Treviso were awarded a penalty try on 55 minutes as the Dragons’ defence crumbled at the scrum.

With Hayward successful with the conversion, the hosts were now just six points behind.

The Italians thought they had their third try of the night on 65 minutes, only for a long consultation with the TMO seeing the move chalked out for an accidental knock out by replacement Andrea Pratichetti.

Treviso did however get the chance to go for the posts via a penalty which Hayward dispatched for 20-17.

But the Dragons hit back and a defensive mix up between Treviso’s Sam Christie and Francesco Minto on their own try line saw Prydie win the foot race to touch down on 71 minutes.

Prydie missed the conversion but he was back on target with a 79^th-minute conversion having gathered Carl Meyer’s kick into the corner.

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