Newport Gwent Dragons travelled to Italy this weekend to face Benetton Treviso, unfortunately for the Men of Gwent they suffered a defeat of 19-17 after fly-half Angus O’Brien missed a last minute drop goal.
The youngster hit the right of the uprights and other missed opportunities went begging which saw the Italian side took the spoils and the Dragons settle with a losing bonus point.
It was the Italians who opened their account first with a try from Angelo Esposito and the try was converted by Jayden Hayward. The Dragons soon after got their chance to catch up with the home side with their won try from Welsh International winger Hallam Amos. Fly-half Angus O’Brien added he extras and the two team were level after 10 minutes of play.
After over 20minutes of hard battle in the rain for both sides it was the Dragons that won a penalty and they had the chance to take the lead for the first time in the match. O’Brien slotted the kick over the posts which saw the Dragons take a lead of 10-7. However the Dragons were unable to hold onto the lead as Filo Paulo slipped through the defence and over the whitewash before the first half was out. The conversion was successfully kicked, once again, by Hayward which saw Treviso take the lead at the end of the first half.
Half Time: Benetton Treviso 14 – Newport Gwent Dragons 10
Similarly, to the first half the home side scored in the first few minutes of the second half. Treviso wing Ludo Nitoglia smashed his way through to cross the try line but the conversion was missed making the points deficit now 19-10.
Confidently the Dragons made their way closer to the try line and their patience paid off with lock Cory Hill crossing for their second try of the night. Young fly-half O’Brien slotted the conversion and the Dragons closed the gap on Treviso’s 19-17 lead.
Treviso had a chance to extend their lead with a penalty kick but Hayward’s kick fell short of the posts. And the Dragons charged on with just a few minutes left on the clock and O’Brien moved into the drop goal pocket but unfortunately he hit the right of the posts and the scores remained 19-17 at the final whistle.
Full Time: Benetton Treviso 19 – Newport Gwent Dragons 17
