Pro 14 - December 26, 2014
Cardiff 17-23 Dragons
Cardiff Blues - (3) 17
Tries: Hoeata, Knoyle Cons: Anscombe 2 Pen: G Davies
Dragons - (13) 23
Tries: Dee, Penalty Try Cons: Prydie 2 Pens: Prydie 3
The Christmas derbies have been a difficult hunting ground for Dragons in recent years but December 2014 proved to be the month of good cheer for Dragons fans, finishing a perfect month with a Boxing Day win at Cardiff Arms Park.
Following home-and-away wins against Romanian side Bucharest Wolves in the Challenge Cup followed by a home 25-11 win against Zebre in the league, Dragons travelled down the M4 full of confidence ahead of their Derby Day fixture.
On that day, Dragons won only their second ever competitive win at Cardiff Arms Park to date, thanks in large part to their forward dominance in dismal conditions with their driving maul to the fore.
A first-half try for hooker Elliott Dee, a late call-up to replace T. Rhys Thomas who was forced to miss the game with a groin niggle, before a penalty try had given the Men of Gwent a 20 points to three lead.
Cardiff fought back in the final quarter with two tries of their own, but a late Prydie penalty saw Dragons home.
However, there could have been a further gloss on the result as Dragons replacement Dorian Jones raced clear with almost the final play of the game, only to see his try ruled out by the TMO for a knock-on.
Captain and player of the match Rynard Landman spoke to BBC after the match:
“The guts the boys showed out here,” said Landman.
“They haven’t won here in a long-time and I’m very proud of the boys that they believed in themselves and we pulled it through at the end.
“It was an awesome derby, the Welsh people like their rugby very much and over the festive season it’s a good vibe being here and games like this, this is why we play the game.
“Elliott came in late for T.R. and dished in a great performance and we’re very proud of the boys.”
Cardiff Blues: Joaquin Tuculet; Alex Cuthbert, Cory Allen, Gavin Evans, Lucas Amorosino; Gareth Davies, Lewis Jones; Sam Hobbs, Matthew Rees (c), Adam Jones, Jarrad Hoeata, Lou Reed, Josh Turnbull, Ellis Jenkins, Josh Navidi.
Replacements: Kristian Dacey, Gethin Jenkins, Taufa'ao Filise, Macauley Cook, Manoa Vosawai, Tavis Knoyle, Gareth Anscombe, Adam Thomas.
Newport Gwent Dragons: Tom Prydie, Matthew Pewtner, Tyler Morgan, Jack Dixon, Hallam Amos, Jason Tovey, Jonathan Evans; Phil Price, Elliott Dee, Brok Harris, Andrew Coombs, Rynard Landman (c), James Thomas, Nic Cudd, Lewis Evans.
Replacements: Hugh Gustafson, Owen Evans, Dan Way, Cory Hill, Ian Gough, Richie Rees, Dorian Jones, Geraint Rhys Jones.
