Hughes double sinks Scarlets
Captain Steff Hughes grabbed a try brace as Dragons RFC finished pre-season with an impressive 31-24 victory over Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets.
Jared Rosser, Jordan Williams and Luke Yendle also crossed the whitewash as Dai Flanagan's men made it two from two ahead of the new BKT United Rugby Championship campaign.
An even first half saw the sides go in level at the break – despite Dragons being down to 13 men after two quickfire yellow cards.
The visitors fought back well in the second half to take a seven-point win - making it two from two in pre-season games for the Men of Gwent.
Dragons used 28 players in the fixture as Head Coach Dai Flanagan looked to give vital game time to the squad ahead of the imminent URC season.
The visitors conceded in the opening minutes, following an impressive break by home back row Taine Plumtree down the blindside.
Scarlets discipline began to slip as the half wore on, giving Dragons plenty of territory and possession which led to a first visiting try of the game.
From a five-metre driving maul, the ball was moved swiftly through the hands of Dane Blacker to wing Jared Rosser who went over. Will Reed added the extras.
Dragons kept up the pressure with a quick defensive line continuously causing Scarlets problems, with handling errors becoming a significant issue for the Llanelli side.
Club captain Hughes scored a second visiting try, using his speed and power to break the defensive line with a crash ball run.
Two yellow cards in the closing minutes of the half - to Ben Carter and Rodrigo Martinez – allowed home scrum half Kieran Hardy to score from a quick tap penalty.
Despite heavy pressure on the Dragons line in the closing minutes, the remaining 13 did well to hold them out until half time with the score tied at 12-12.
The Men of Gwent started the second half strongly with full back Jordan Williams showing his blistering pace to intercept on halfway before a driving maul was finished by Luke Yendle.
Scarlets hit back through Eddie James before Hughes grabbed another intercept for the visitors after picking off a stray pass.
Dragons discipline stayed strong in the second half, keeping an aggressive Scarlets attack at bay in the latter stages of the game after Tomi Lewis grabbed a try five minutes from time.
It was a result that saw Dragons leave with a promising result built on and incredible defensive and set-piece performance. Next up… Edinburgh.
Timeline:
02m Plumtree t Lloyd c 7-0
13m J.Rosser t 7-5
27m Hughes t Reed 7-12
35m Hardy t 12-12
41m Williams t Reed c 12-19
45m Yendle t Reed c 12-26
51m James t 17-26
60m Hughes t 17-31
76m Lewis t Titcombe c 24-31
Dragons RFC: Jordan Williams (Evans 44), Corey Baldwin (Dixon 45), Sio Tomkinson (Seiuli 44-48), Steff Hughes, Jared Rosser (E. Rosser 65), Will Reed, Dane Blacker (R. Williams 52), Rodrigo Martinez (Seiuli 59), James Benjamin, Christian Coleman (Yendle 45 (Fairbrother 75)), Matthew Screech (Davies 52), Ben Carter (Langton 59), Sean Lonsdale (Westwood 75), George Young (Nott 4), Harrison Keddie (Coghlan 52)
Replacements: Brodie Coghlan, Aki Seiuli, Luke Yendle, Lloyd Fairbrother, Joe Davies, Barny Langton, George Nott, Rhodri Williams, Cai Evans, Oli Andrew, Jack Dixon, Joe Westwood, Ewan Rosser, Ioan Davies
Scarlets: Johnny Mcnicholl, Tomi Lewis, Ioan Nicholas, Jonathan Davies, Ryan Conbeer, Ioan Lloyd, Kieran Hardy, Kemsley Mathias, Isaac Young, Sam Wainwright, Alex Craig, Morgan Jones, Taine Plumtree, Dan Davis, Carwyn Tuipulotu
Replacements: Lewis Morgan, Steffan Thomas, Wyn Jones, Jac Price, Iwan Shenton, Teddy Leatherbarrow, Ben Williams, Efan Jones, Charlie Titcombe, Eddie James, Macs Page
