Dragons XV ease past Munster in Cup

Dragons XV produced a dazzling display of attacking rugby under the lights to ease past Munster A 36-10 in the Celtic Cup on Friday evening.

Regional rugby returned to Newport for the Celtic Cup clash – after 180 days without a game - and Dragons did not disappoint with a stunning bonus point home show to delight fans.

Connor Edwards, James McCarthy, Josh Reynolds, Luke Yendle all crossed the whitewash as the home side opened up a 24-3 lead by the break.

The second half continued on the same vein with Rio Dyer and Dan Babos going over before Rob Heddernan grabbed a consolation for the Irish visitors.

Munster had taken an early lead, when visiting fly half Ben Healy slotted a fourth minute penalty, before Dragons hit back with four clinical scores in twelve devastating minutes.

Firstly, Jacob Botica cut a superb line to glide past two tacklers before unselfishly popping a pass for Edwards to flop over from close range. Botica picked himself up to add the conversion.

A second try followed from the restart with James Benjamin bursting down the middle before quick ball released Dyer who attacked his opposite number and sent fellow wide man McCarthy in.

Four minutes later it was three as Dyer again caused issues with an arching run from deep and prop Reynolds bulldozed over.

Front row partner Luke Yendle then repeated the feat after Benjamin produced a moment of class to hand one man off and then flip a pass out the backdoor for McCarthy.

Dragons threatened more points with Carwyn Penny benefitting from a delayed pass from Babos while the pack was busy with Max Williams, Joe Davies and Huw Taylor showing senior team class.

The home side started the second half with a series of strong defensive sets as Munster looked to mount a comeback.

However, after some lightening quick hands from Benjamin and Aneurin Owen in midfield, normal service was resumed as McCarthy sent Dyer over for a deserved score for the impressive wing.

The try of the game arrived just before the hour mark as full back Penny broke the defensive line and kicked intelligently wide left for McCarthy to collect.

The wing broke one tackle before flicking the ball back in field for scrum half Babos to dot down for a 36-3 lead.

Replacement Ben Fry was yellow carded for an illegal clear-out and Munster hit back with full back Rob Heddernan finding the corner.

 

Timeline:

04m Healy p 0-3

05m Edwards t Botica c 7-3

09m McCarthy t 12-3

13m Reynolds t 17-3

17m Yendle t Botica c 24-3

49m Dyer t Botica c 31-3

54m Babos t 36-3

66m Heddernan t Healy c 36-10

 

Dragons XV: Carwyn Penny, Rio Dyer, Connor Edwards, Aneurin Owen, James McCarthy, Jacob Botica, Dan Babos; Josh Reynolds, Ellis Shipp, Luke Yendle, Joe Davies, Max Williams, Ben Roach, James Benjamin, Huw Taylor

Replacements: Will Griffiths, Jack Cosgrove, Garin Harris, Ed Scragg, Ben Fry, Dafydd Buckland, Evan Lloyd, Owen Jenkins

Munster A: Rob Heddernan, Matt Bowen, Louis Bruce, Alan Tynan, Jonathan Wren, Ben Healy, Jack Stafford; James French, Scott Buckley, Corrie Barrett, Kevin Seymour, Paddy Kelly, David Hyland, Jack Daly, Cian Hurley

Replacements: Eoghan Clarke, Aaron Hennessy, James Kendrick, Conor Mitchell, Jack Crowley, Pat Ryan