An opening penalty for the Dragons put them on the front foot as Jason Tovey kicked. But when awarded with a second penalty in the 6^th minute Tovey failed to convert keeping the scores on 3-0.

As both teams battled on, it was Connacht who came out on top as captain John Muldoon crossed the whitewash after profiting from a scrum drive and the try was converted. But this was after Dragons flanker Nic Cudd had stopped Connacht claiming a push over try in the 12^th minute.

The Dragons were then penalised as Rob Sidoli illegally took out a Connacht player in the line out. Being down to 14 men the visitors took advantage and Rodney Ah You crossed the try line and Park converted, taking the visitors lead to 3-14.

After this Lyn Jones changed the entire front row as Phil Price, Elliot Dee and Duncan Bell made their way on for Owen Evans, Hugh Gustafson and Bruce Douglas.

Half Time: Dragons 3 Connacht 14

The Welsh region came out fighting in the second half and Tovey had the chance to add more crucial points to the scoreboard, but the ball went wide. The Dragons efforts still didn’t seem to be enough against the strong Irish outfit as their skipper got his second try of the night extending their score to 3-19, but Miah Nikora who replaced Dan Parks missed the conversion.

Shortly after this Darragh Leader was penalised and got a yellow card and the Dragons made the most of this as winger Tom Prydie crossed the try line. Unfortunatley for teh home side Tovey once again missed the conversion bringing their score up to 8-19. But it wasn’t long after this that the visitors made their way across the try line in the 79^th minute, but Nikora did not convert leaving the scores at 8-24.

Teams

Newport Gwent Dragons

Daniel Evans, Tom Prydie, Ross Wardle, Jack Dixon, Will Harries,  Jason Tovey, Richie Rees; Owen Evans, Hugh Gustafson, Bruce Douglas, Andrew Coombs (c), Rob Sidoli, Lewis Evans, Nic Cudd, Netani Talei.

Replacements:  Elliot Dee, Phil Price, Duncan Bell, Matthew Screech, Taulupe Faletau, Wayne Evans, Ashley Smith, Matthew Pewtner.

Connacht Rugby

Robbie Henshaw, Tiernan O’Halloran, Eoin Griffin, David McSharry, Fionn Carr, Dan Parks, Kieron Marmion; Dennis Buckley, Jason Harris-Wright, Rodney Ah You, Aly Muldowney, Mick Kearney, John Muldoon (c), Eoghan Masterson, Eoin McKeon.

Replacements: Dave Heffernan, Ronan Loughney, Nathan White, Mike Swift, Andrew Browne, Frank Murphy, Miah Nikora, Darragh Leader.

Man of the Match: John Muldoon

Attendance: 5474