Battling Dragons impress at Clifton
Promising Academy prospect Owen Conquer grabbed another try as Dragons RFC continued pre-season with a battling 40-19 defeat to a powerful Bristol Bears outfit at Clifton RFC.
Head Coach Dai Flanagan selected a 32-man squad with a blend of experience and youth for the game over the bridge against a star-studded Bears side that went full strength.
And he would have been pleased as Dragons produced a spirited first half display that was rewarded when Conquer, who also scored last week against Hartpury, finished off a powerful driving maul.
Replacement Jordan Williams grabbed a slick second half score and Joe Peard a late third, at a time when the visiting pack average age was under 21.
Attention now turns to Bath in seven days’ time as Dragons look to build momentum into the opening weekend of the BKT URC season.
The home looked to play fast and free from the kick-off, but a loose pass almost sent Ewan Rosser racing clear only for play to be pulled back for a knock-on.
Bristol did open the scoring on eight minutes when lock Joe Batley charged down a clearing kick and touched down. McGinty converted.
A second score followed moments later as Bears went left at real pace, Gabriel Ibitoye and Kalaveti Ravouou combining to release Harry Randall.
The Men of Gwent finally enjoyed a period of sustained territory and a penalty from Evans went to the corner before a huge driving maul was punched over with Conquer touching down.
Bristol hit back as England full back Max Malins brilliantly took a pass behind him from international team-mate Ellis Genge and slid over. McGinty added the extras.
Dragons, though, continued to meet fire with fire with an impressive showing as the half wore on and the Bears took a 19-7 lead to the sheds.
A huge scrum and dominating start to the second half forced Bristol back before Evans produced a stunning 50:22 to turn the home side.
But in a flash it was Bristol who broke away, replacement Kieran Marmion dotting down after a quick tap penalty.
Home wing Siva Naulago stretched into the corner for a fifth score.
Dragons hit back after showing composure and patience close to the line as Rhodri Williams produced a peach of a low grubber to find namesake Jordan.
Bristol lit it up from deep again with Marmion racing over for his second after some stunning handling in the rain.
However, it was Dragons who finished the game the stronger and with a pack with an average age of under 21 they had the final word when Peard forced his way over.
Timeline:
08m Batley t McGinty c 7-0
10m Randall t 12-0
20m Conquer t Evans c 12-7
22m Malins t Genge c 19-7
45m Marmion t McGinty c 26-7
51m Naulago t McGinty c 33-7
59m J. Williams t 33-12
71m Marmion t McGinty c 40-12
79m Peard t Reed c 40-19
Bristol: Max Malins, Siva Naulago, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Gabriel Ibitoye, AJ MacGinty, Harry Randall; Ellis Genge, Harry Thacker, George Kloska, Josh Caulfield, Joe Batley, James Dun, Paddy Pearce, Benjamín Grondona
Replacements: Will Capon, Jake Woolmore, Max Lahiff, Joe Owen, Surrey, Kieran Marmion, Jack Bates, Rich Lane, Scott, Grahamslaw, Boschoff
Dragons RFC: Huw Anderson, Ewan Rosser (Pyrs-Jones 59), Harry Wilson (Hughes 35), Joe Westwood (E. Rosser 73), Jared Rosser (J. Williams 50), Lloyd Evans (Reed 50), Dane Blacker (R. Williams 40 (Lloyd 71)); Rodrigo Martinez (Kelleher-Griffiths 51), James Benjamin (Coghlan 35 (Burrows 59)), Luke Yendle (Rees 50 (James 65)), Joe Davies (Thomas 65), George Nott (Peard 65), George Young (Scarfe 65), Harri Keddie (Minto 40) Owen Conquer (Woodman 40)
Replacements: Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths, Oli Burrows, Brodie Coghlan, Joe Rees, Owain James, Nick Thomas, Joe Peard, Evan Minto, Sam Scarfe, Ryan Woodman, Rhodri Williams, Morgan Lloyd, Will Reed, Steff Hughes, Aneurin Owen, Jordan Williams, Iwan Pyrs-Jones
