REPORT | Dragons 16 Zebre 5
Fly half Arwel Robson and wing Dafydd Howells scored first half tries, with Zebre hitting back through wing Mattia Bellini, as the home side took control in miserable conditions.
And in relentless second half rain, full back Jordan Williams scored the only points with a long-range penalty to secure successive home league wins.
Head Coach Bernard Jackman made four changes for the clash with fly half Robson one of those to get the nod.
The young No.10 was straight into his stride as he slotted an early penalty, after Zebre were caught offside, as the Dragons started strongly with big carries from Lloyd Fairbrother and the all-action Ollie Griffiths.
Scrum half Rhodri Williams was looking to manage the conditions with clever kicks in behind, while opposite number Carlo Canna tested Jordan Williams with a low grubber along the greasy turf.
Elliot Dee smashed into contact with a thumping run before a brilliant pass by Griffiths spotted a deep run and opening for Robson who pinned his ears back and made the line for the opening try of the game.
Zebre hit back with Canna’s chip ahead taking a nasty kick up off the turf and wing Mattia Bellini took the opportunity as he juggled the ball before crashing over to cut the lead.
Robson saw a penalty sail wide right before Williams again forced the Italians back with a high kick but, after wrestling back possession, it was spilled forward in contact.
Griffiths brilliantly teamed up with Aaron Wainwright to rip the ball clear in the tackle before Howells looked to use his raw pace down the right wing before Zebre countered.
Dragons, though, were winning the territorial battle and forced another penalty as Zebre entered at the side of a ruck, with Robson this time opting to kick to the corner.
Patience was then rewarded as the home forwards inched towards the line and dragged defenders in before Williams threw a perfect long pass out to Howells to slide over for a 13-5 lead at the break.
Tempers flared early in the second half and, when order was restored, Jordan Williams took over kicking duties and duly slotted the resulting long-range penalty.
Dragons started to empty the bench just before the hour in energy sapping conditions as the rain continued to hammer down.
But, after Rosser had a try ruled out for a knock-on earlier in the play, the home side were reduced to 14 men when replacement Brandon Nansen was yellow carded for an off the ball clash with Canna.
Dragons dup deep in the ten-minute period and well marshalled defence saw them win several penalties to deny Zebre ball and any attacking opportunities.
When Nansen did return he bulldozed past two men to a huge ovation before replacement Josh Lewis kicked in behind to force Zebre to once again track back in the relentless rain.
A breathless final few minutes saw Howells inches from collecting a chipped kick over the top from Knoyle as Dragons pushed for a third try.
Timeline:
05m Robson p 3-0
14m Robson t 8-0
22m Bellini t 8-5
40m Howells t 13-5
44m J. Williams p 16-5
Dragons: Jordan Williams, Dafydd Howells, Adam Warren, Jack Dixon (Sage 40), Jared Rosser, Arwel Robson (Lewis 67), Rhodri Williams (Knoyle 67); Brok Harris (Bevington 52), Elliot Dee (Hibbard 52), Lloyd Fairbrother (Jarvis 52), Rynard Landman (Nansen 52), Cory Hill, Aaron Wainwright (Cudd 68), Ollie Griffiths, Ross Moriarty
Replacements: Richard Hibbard, Ryan Bevington, Aaron Jarvis, Brandon Nansen, Nic Cudd, Tavis Knoyle, Josh Lewis, Jarryd Sage
Zebre Rugby: Francois Brummer, Mattia Bellini (Di Giulio 72), Giulio Bisegni (Boni 58), Tommaso Castello, Edoardo Padovani, Carlo Canna, Marcello Violi (Palazzani 58); Andrea Lovotti (Rimpelli 52), Oliviero Fabiani (Ceciliani 52), Dario Chistolini (Zilocchi 52), David Sisi, George Biagi (Tauyavuca 52), Jimmy Tuiviati, Johan Meyer, Giovanni Licata (Tevi 77)
Replacements: Massimo Ceciliani, Daniele Rimpelli, Giosue Zilocchi, Apisai Tauyavuca, Matu Tevi, Guglielmo Palazzani, Tommaso Boni, Gabriele Di Giulio
Referee: Joy Neville (IRFU)
Attendance: 4,104
Dragons return to action at Rodney Parade against Cardiff Blues on Saturday 6 October, 5.15pm. Early bird tickets are available until midnight Friday.
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