Scrum half and captain Rhodri Williams has praised the improvements Dragons have been making this season - and how the squad now brings belief into the latter stages of games, writes Ethan Harris.
Another last-gasp Sam Davies penalty clinched a 13-10 victory over the Toyota Cheetahs at Rodney Parade in wretched conditions on Saturday evening.
It is now five victories on the bounce at home for Dean Ryan’s men and Williams has stressed the squad need to keep their heads down to keep the wins coming.
“We just have to get our heads down and keep working, get your own things right and we’ve been very good in the last twenty minutes,” he said.
“We had lost a lot of games in those last twenty before, but now we’re pretty good at closing out the wins.
“If we can stick at it, there’s loads of improvement, we’re not league winners but if we can just keep in the game then we have plenty of belief in the last twenty minutes.
“It’s great to get the four points, we went about it the hard way. They decided to run it out and try and get the win and the boys stuck at it.
“We could easily have switched off there and the Cheetahs could have gone the length, it’s a credit to the boys for sticking at it for the whole 85 minutes.”
The 26-year-old has played his part in several Dragons wins in the closing stages this season and heaped praise onto his half back partner Davies.
Crediting the nerve of the fly-half, he believes those situations are just another day at the office with several late kicks being converted this year.
And with Dan Biggar facing potential injury issues ahead of Wales’ Six Nations clash against England, Williams believes his number 10 could be in line for a call-up to the international squad.
Williams added: “It’s all he’s about, he’s done it four or five times this year so it’s a credit to him to hold his nerve and it’s a kick you’d expect to hit so that’s even more pressure.
“If he just keeps his head down, keeps working and hopefully that call comes.
“With his performances he’s definitely been putting his hands up for himself. He just keeps working hard day-to-day and hopefully he can get the chance.”
Dragons are back in action on Friday evening when we face Benetton Rugby in a re-arranged Guinness PRO14 clash at Rodney Parade (kick-off 7.35pm). Please note, ALL original match tickets remain valid. To buy tickets for the fixture call 01633 674990 or click HERE
We had lost a lot of games in those last twenty before... now we’re pretty good at closing out the wins...
