Dragons v Cardiff Blues Match Report
It came down to the wire in the last few minutes after Dragons replacement Dorian Jones attempted an ambitious drop goal, from the half way, which clipped one of the visitors hands in the process. Therefore the referee awarded the Dragons a five-metre scrum, which they were penalised for resulting in the Blues defeat over the Dragons.
Just one week before this the Men of Gwent beat the capital at the BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park and were looking to do the double at home on New Years Day.
The Dragons managed to secure the first set of points with a simple penalty kick from Tom Prydie after just three minutes on the clock.
Blues fly-half Anscombe looked to even the scores but missed his target as the ball went to the left of the posts. But the capital team managed to expose the Dragons far right resulting in a try from Wales centre Cory Allen.
Anscombe missed the conversion and that was it for the action of a slow first half.
Half Time: Newport Gwent Dragons 3 – Cardiff Blues 5
It took just two minutes into the second half for the Blues to stretch their lead after Gareth Anscombe slotted a neat drop goal.
Referee Ian Davies awarded the hosts a swift response when he penalised lock Filo Paulo for handbags with James Thomas with Prydie bisecting the posts.
They hammered away at the visitors' line as wing Matthew Pewtner went over only for Rynard Landman to be pinged for obstruction.
However, the pressure paid off when Prydie banged over a penalty kick approaching the hour after a scrum offence by replacement tighthead Adam Jones.
With the Dragons leading 9-8 the atmosphere cranked up at Rodney Parade.
Those jeers turned to cheers when he pinged Manoa Vosawai for going off his feet at the breakdown only for Prydie to miss his 62nd minute penalty attempt.
But the hosts were penalised at the resulting scrum and Anscombe earned the lead back, 11-9.
Replacement fly-half Dorian Jones attempted a drop goal from the half way line in the dying minutes, only for it to be touched in flight resulting in an attacking five metre scrum. But the Dragons were penalised at the scrum only for the Blues to kick the ball out to take the spoils at the final whistle.
Full Time: Newport Gwent Dragons 9 – Cardiff Blues 11
Newport Gwent Dragons Team: Tom Prydie, Matthew Pewtner, Tyler Morgan, Jack Dixon, Hallam Amos, Jason Tovey, Richie Rees; Phil Price, Elliot Dee, Brok Harris, Andrew Coombs, Rynard Landman (c), James Thomas, Nic Cudd, Taulupe Faletau.
Cardiff Blues Team: Joaquin Tuculet, Richard Smith, Cory Allen, Gavin Evans, Lucas Amorosino, Gareth Anscombe, Tavis Knoyle; Gethin Jenkins, Kristian Dacey, Taufa'ao Filise, Jarrad Hoeata, Filo Paulo, Josh Turnbull, Sam Warburton, Josh Navidi.
Attendance: 8,486
Man of the Match: Gareth Anscombe (Blues)
Referee: Ian Davies
