Report by Mark Denham
Following last weekend’s fantastic win against Glasgow in the Magners League, the Dragons were back in Newport on Sunday for a fifth round Heineken Cup fixture against a strong and well fancied Bath side.
Bath dominated the early part of this encounter and were duly rewarded in the sixth minute when Joe Maddock went over in the corner following some rugged forward play. South-African Butch James couldn’t add the extra two points from the following conversion but the visitors looked good money for their early lead.
Despite undoubted spirit from the Dragons, Steve Meehan’s side continued to boss this affair in the opening twenty minutes without being able to double their advantage. Whilst it must be said that Bath failed to convert some golden opportunities, praise has to go to the Dragons defence for keeping out a dangerous opposition in the opening exchanges.
Bath did eventually increase their lead in the twenty-eighth minute through the boot of James from forty yards out before captain Luke Charteris was shown a yellow card by referee Clancy for failing to roll away at the ruck minutes later.
An altercation between former Aussie lock Justin Harrison and Dragon Steve Jones was arguably the most significant action of the half following Charteris’ sin bin, Harrison needing attention for a hand injury that held up play for some time. Harrison was fortunate not to receive a yellow card in the closing minutes of the half for deliberate offside, the big man playing the role of pantomime villain as he trotted away with just a warning.
Referee Clancy would show Stuart Hooper the yellow card for infringement at the breakdown, seconds before blowing up for the half time whistle. The Dragons had resisted the Bath offence superbly and with a man extra in the second half, would go in at the interval in confident mood.
Half Time: Newport Gwent Dragons 0-8 Bath Rugby
The Dragons looked to capitalise on their player advantage after the interval and were further aided when Dan Browne was shown a yellow card for deliberately obstructing Wayne Evans from a quick tap and go, thus reducing the visitors to thirteen. It was the ever sprightly Richard Fussell who got the first points for the Dragons when he collected from a Arlidge chip forward to swivel over the line for a try; Arlidge converted to bring the home side to within a point of Bath at 7-8.
A great break by Ashley Smith nearly put the Dragons ahead, though the referee deemed his final pass to Rhodri Gomer-Davies forward, much to the angst of the home support. Hooper and Browne would soon return to the fray, though they came back to a game that was much different to that which they had left earlier.
The Men of Gwent took the lead just before the hour mark through Wayne Evans who touched down after Butch James’ kick from the in goal area was charged down. Although Arlidge failed to convert a difficult kick, with twenty minutes remaining and the Dragons 12-8 ahead, the Rodney Parade crowd were hopeful of taking a hugely significant Heineken Cup scalp.
With their Heineken Cup future this season in the balance, Bath pushed for all their worth to get their noses back in front. The Dragons defended superbly as they approached the final fifteen minutes, Rhodri Gomer-Davies looking particularly strong at outside centre.
Bath did re-take the lead on sixty-six minutes though after Shaun Hooper scored the easiest of tries following a superb tackle initially by Wayne Evans on Dan Browne. James converted to put the English side 15-12 ahead and set up a thrilling end to a feisty game.
Arlidge had a good opportunity to restore parity on seventy-five minutes, though the fly-half’s effort drifted agonisingly wide of the uprights. Both sides made changes in the final third to instil fresh legs to a tiring game, though ultimately it was the pre-match favourites Bath who would hold out for a crucial pool win.
At the final whistle, Dragons coach Paul Turner was disappointed by what was the narrowest of defeats.
“It's frustrating. I really feel for the players” said Turner. “It was all going according to plan for us (at 12-8) and we got ourselves into the right areas and put their back three under pressure but then we got soft with a couple of tackles”.
Opposition boss Steve Meehan was happy with a hard fought victory on Sunday going in to their crucial fixture with Toulouse.
"We have all earned our pay this week again, this is not an easy place to come and play” said Meehan. “The Dragons were a really spirited side and play well for one another”.
Full Time: Newport Gwent Dragons 12-15 Bath Rugby
Following last weekend’s fantastic win against Glasgow in the Magners League, the Dragons were back in Newport on Sunday for a fifth round Heineken Cup fixture against a strong and well fancied Bath side.
Bath dominated the early part of this encounter and were duly rewarded in the sixth minute when Joe Maddock went over in the corner following some rugged forward play. South-African Butch James couldn’t add the extra two points from the following conversion but the visitors looked good money for their early lead.
Despite undoubted spirit from the Dragons, Steve Meehan’s side continued to boss this affair in the opening twenty minutes without being able to double their advantage. Whilst it must be said that Bath failed to convert some golden opportunities, praise has to go to the Dragons defence for keeping out a dangerous opposition in the opening exchanges.
Bath did eventually increase their lead in the twenty-eighth minute through the boot of James from forty yards out before captain Luke Charteris was shown a yellow card by referee Clancy for failing to roll away at the ruck minutes later.
An altercation between former Aussie lock Justin Harrison and Dragon Steve Jones was arguably the most significant action of the half following Charteris’ sin bin, Harrison needing attention for a hand injury that held up play for some time. Harrison was fortunate not to receive a yellow card in the closing minutes of the half for deliberate offside, the big man playing the role of pantomime villain as he trotted away with just a warning.
Referee Clancy would show Stuart Hooper the yellow card for infringement at the breakdown, seconds before blowing up for the half time whistle. The Dragons had resisted the Bath offence superbly and with a man extra in the second half, would go in at the interval in confident mood.
Half Time: Newport Gwent Dragons 0-8 Bath Rugby
The Dragons looked to capitalise on their player advantage after the interval and were further aided when Dan Browne was shown a yellow card for deliberately obstructing Wayne Evans from a quick tap and go, thus reducing the visitors to thirteen. It was the ever sprightly Richard Fussell who got the first points for the Dragons when he collected from a Arlidge chip forward to swivel over the line for a try; Arlidge converted to bring the home side to within a point of Bath at 7-8.
A great break by Ashley Smith nearly put the Dragons ahead, though the referee deemed his final pass to Rhodri Gomer-Davies forward, much to the angst of the home support. Hooper and Browne would soon return to the fray, though they came back to a game that was much different to that which they had left earlier.
The Men of Gwent took the lead just before the hour mark through Wayne Evans who touched down after Butch James’ kick from the in goal area was charged down. Although Arlidge failed to convert a difficult kick, with twenty minutes remaining and the Dragons 12-8 ahead, the Rodney Parade crowd were hopeful of taking a hugely significant Heineken Cup scalp.
With their Heineken Cup future this season in the balance, Bath pushed for all their worth to get their noses back in front. The Dragons defended superbly as they approached the final fifteen minutes, Rhodri Gomer-Davies looking particularly strong at outside centre.
Bath did re-take the lead on sixty-six minutes though after Shaun Hooper scored the easiest of tries following a superb tackle initially by Wayne Evans on Dan Browne. James converted to put the English side 15-12 ahead and set up a thrilling end to a feisty game.
Arlidge had a good opportunity to restore parity on seventy-five minutes, though the fly-half’s effort drifted agonisingly wide of the uprights. Both sides made changes in the final third to instil fresh legs to a tiring game, though ultimately it was the pre-match favourites Bath who would hold out for a crucial pool win.
At the final whistle, Dragons coach Paul Turner was disappointed by what was the narrowest of defeats.
“It's frustrating. I really feel for the players” said Turner. “It was all going according to plan for us (at 12-8) and we got ourselves into the right areas and put their back three under pressure but then we got soft with a couple of tackles”.
Opposition boss Steve Meehan was happy with a hard fought victory on Sunday going in to their crucial fixture with Toulouse.
"We have all earned our pay this week again, this is not an easy place to come and play” said Meehan. “The Dragons were a really spirited side and play well for one another”.
Full Time: Newport Gwent Dragons 12-15 Bath Rugby
