Anderson stunner secures Euro victory
Huw Anderson scored a superb solo try as Dragons produced a sensational away display to defeat Newcastle Falcons 22-14 in the EPCR Challenge Cup at Kingston Park.
Argentina international Rodrigo Martinez grabbed a first try for the club as Dragons took a slender lead in the first half.
Wales ace Aaron Wainwright crashed over early in the second period before Anderson lit up proceedings as he scored a long-range wonder try of his full debut.
Rhodri Williams had a try chalked off for the bonus – the second disallowed by the TMO against Dragons – but a brilliantly managed final 15 minutes eased the Men of Gwent to a fully deserved win.
Dragons made nine changes for the clash with Dan Lydiate making his 100th appearance – 17 and a half years after his debut in 2007.
Anderson and Che Hope were also handed first starts on a blustery afternoon as stormy weather again descended on European action.
After a moment’s silence for Tom Voyce, it was the home side who started with intent as Adam Radwan jinked down the right wing before being hauled down.
Aneurin Owen, Joe Westwood and Ryan Woodman all carried powerfully as Dragons earned field position before O’Brien kicked the visitors ten metres out.
Anderson showcased his slick footwork with a break from deep to make 30 metres, but the ball was turned over as Dragons looked to punch holes down the left flank.
A huge clearing boot from O’Brien earned Dragons yet more territory and with Steve Cummins and Wainwright to the fore the patience was rewarded as Martinez drove over.
Loose possession was then picked up by Dragons and slick handling gave Andrew the chance to race for the line, but a superb cover tackle put him into touch.
Ben Redshaw was unceremoniously crunched by a trademark Lydiate tackle in midfield as the centurion impressed.
A penalty at the breakdown gave Newcastle the chance to launch an attack, but the combination of Nott and Anderson shunted Stevenson into touch.
O’Brien nudged over a penalty for a 10-0 with five minutes to the break. But the Falcons then struck just before the break when wide ball allowed Radwan to show his pace to score to cut the lead back.
A huge scrum on the stroke of half-time won a penalty and one last shot for Dragons, only for the ball to be lost in close quarters as Newcastle held on.
As temperatures started to drop, a youthful back line looked to keep firing as Rosser again found a marauding Anderson who was proving a constant threat to the home side.
The home side struck again, though, when a nudge through sat up nicely for centre Alex Hearle to score. Wilkinson converted for the lead.
Dragons hit back immediately as a smart lineout move saw Wainwright peel off down the shortside and crash through several tackles to score.
Williams was introduced, and his low grubber through almost sat up nicely for Rosser but ran dead.
Newcastle threatened from deep when Redshaw broke, but spilled ball found Anderson who raced back past several men to score a superb solo effort from 70 metres out.
More slick handling down the left wing freed Williams and he thought he had scored the bonus after handing off the last man, only for a forward pass to deny the scrum half.
Dragons moved into the final ten minutes eight points ahead and set to face a Newcastle onslaught. But they managed the game with superb control in the dying minutes to take the victory and reignite European hopes.
Timeline:
17m Martinez t O’Brien c 0-7
35m O’Brien 0-10
37m Radwan t Wilkinson c 7-10
48m Hearle t Wilkinson c 14-10
50m Wainwright t 14-15
60m Anderson t Evans c 14-22
Newcastle: Ben Redshaw; Adam Radwan, Alex Hearle, Connor Doherty, Ben Stevenson; Kieran Wilkinson, Sam Stuart; Murray McCallum, Ollie Fletcher, Callum Hancock, Kiran McDonald, Sebastian de Chaves, Freddie Lockwood, Tom Gordon, Callum Chick.
Replacements: Bryan Byrne, Micky Rewcastle, Connor Hancock, Finn Baker, Ollie Leatherbarrow, Hugh O’Sullivan, Brett Connon, Oli Spencer.
Dragons: Huw Anderson; Ewan Rosser, Joe Westwood, Aneurin Owen, Oli Andrew (Evans 51); Angus O’Brien (Wilson 54-63), Che Hope (Williams 51); Rodrigo Martinez (Reynolds 61), Brodie Coghlan (Burrows 61), Chris Coleman (Latu 61), Steve Cummins (Thomas 39), George Nott Minto 65), Ryan Woodman, Dan Lydiate, Aaron Wainwright.
Replacements: Oli Burrows, Josh Reynolds, Paula Latu, Nick Thomas, Evan Minto, Rhodri Williams, Cai Evans, Harry Wilson.
Referee: Federico Vedovelli (Ita)
Attendance: 2,801
