Dragons back row Darren Waters got his regional derby career off to a flying start when he picked up the RaboDirect PRO 12 Man of the Match award last night against the Blues.
Following his first ever regional derby match, Darren was presented the award – his first in a Dragons shirt.
“Before every game, I’m horrendously nervous, pacing around at home before I even leave for the stadium, but for some reason I was the total opposite yesterday. I felt calm and composed throughout which worried me a bit, but it seemed that once I got onto the pitch things came into place.
“Rodney Parade last night was a really impressive atmosphere. The crowd was immense and to win in that arena was fantastic. It’s certainly something special.
“Obviously every game is important to all of the players but there is something about the regional derbies that makes them even more competitive – It probably appeals to all of our egos! There’s pride at stake and the rivalry with the Blues really upped the ante.”
But despite this being Darren’s first regional derby, there were some familiar faces in the Blues line-up with Cory Hill, Macaulay Cook and Sam Hobbs all having lined up alongside the former Pontypridd back row. Not to mention, Darren’s rugby hero Martyn Williams in the Blues side.
“It was great to play against Martyn. He’s always been my rugby hero and to be able to play against him was a great moment for me. I swapped shirts with him at the end of the match and it’s a moment I’m really proud of in my career.”
Lining up against his idol was perhaps the motivation that spurred Darren on as he put in a Man of the Match performance. “It felt great to get man of the match, particularly in a match like that. I went out wanting to impress, not only because it was a big game but because it’s important to put a marker down before the boys get back from Welsh duty. There’s a lot of competition in the back row at the Dragons so we are all working hard to try and claim a place going forward.
“I’m definitely excited for rest of season. I feel that I showed last night what I’m capable of and am keen to finish this season on a high.”
Following his first ever regional derby match, Darren was presented the award – his first in a Dragons shirt.
“Before every game, I’m horrendously nervous, pacing around at home before I even leave for the stadium, but for some reason I was the total opposite yesterday. I felt calm and composed throughout which worried me a bit, but it seemed that once I got onto the pitch things came into place.
“Rodney Parade last night was a really impressive atmosphere. The crowd was immense and to win in that arena was fantastic. It’s certainly something special.
“Obviously every game is important to all of the players but there is something about the regional derbies that makes them even more competitive – It probably appeals to all of our egos! There’s pride at stake and the rivalry with the Blues really upped the ante.”
But despite this being Darren’s first regional derby, there were some familiar faces in the Blues line-up with Cory Hill, Macaulay Cook and Sam Hobbs all having lined up alongside the former Pontypridd back row. Not to mention, Darren’s rugby hero Martyn Williams in the Blues side.
“It was great to play against Martyn. He’s always been my rugby hero and to be able to play against him was a great moment for me. I swapped shirts with him at the end of the match and it’s a moment I’m really proud of in my career.”
Lining up against his idol was perhaps the motivation that spurred Darren on as he put in a Man of the Match performance. “It felt great to get man of the match, particularly in a match like that. I went out wanting to impress, not only because it was a big game but because it’s important to put a marker down before the boys get back from Welsh duty. There’s a lot of competition in the back row at the Dragons so we are all working hard to try and claim a place going forward.
“I’m definitely excited for rest of season. I feel that I showed last night what I’m capable of and am keen to finish this season on a high.”
