Dragons search for a first win of the season continued after a 49-0 defeat to Glasgow Warriors in the BKT United Rugby Championship at Scotstoun Stadium.
Much-changed Dragons, who made sweeping changes after the draw with Sharks and ahead of a short turnaround to derby day, showed plenty of first half spirit and endeavour in Scotland.
An injury to lock Levi Douglas marred an encouraging first 40 minutes where Dragons went toe-to-toe with a side that contained four British & Irish Lions.
However, the hosts – who only lost twice at home last season - pulled clear in the second period while Dragons had a slick try from David Richards disallowed.
Head Coach Filo Tiatia made 12 changes with Seb Davies and Jac Lloyd handed debuts. Dillon Lewis, Mackenzie Martin and Douglas were all handed first starts for the Men of Gwent.
Dragons were then dealt an injury blow before kick-off when captain Harrison Keddie pulled out and was replaced by Shane Lewis-Hughes. Harry Beddall came onto the bench.
Sione Tuipulotu saw an early pass picked off by Fine Inisi as Dragons worked field position only for Gregor Brown to disrupt the attack and win a penalty.
The Glasgow backs got their hands on the ball and went out the back to exploit space before a third penalty in quick succession saw the hosts kick to the corner.
The visitors showed strong defence with Oli Burrows halting a lineout drive before Douglas unloaded a big hit before Lewis-Hughes and Davies earned a turnover.
Another penalty saw Glasgow pop the ball in the corner before the ball was worked to Kyle Steyn who burst through a gap to dot down. Hastings added the extras.
Douglas unloaded a huge hit from a high kick from Hope while Martin and Ackerman made good yards down the middle before Ryan Woodman burst down the left flank. A penalty saw Lloyd kick deep into the Glasgow 22, but the home side disrupted the drive at the midpoint of the half.
The Glasgow backs kept the ball alive and won another penalty to launch into the corner, but Macenzzie Duncan went off his feet to hand Dragons the ball back.
A bursting run down the left from Gregor Brown opened space and he fed George Horne to race over for a second score. Hastings converted.
A sustained spell of possession from Glasgow was halted when Douglas was left in trouble in midfield. The big man was injured in a clear out and eventually helped off.
A big momentum shift saw Martin win a penalty at the breakdown and allow Lloyd to kick deep before Ackerman won a big a collision with Tuipulotu.
Dragons enjoyed a sustained spell of pressure before the break as they went through the phases after Owen’s kick in behind for Anderson. But there was no breakthrough as the hosts led 14-0 at the break.
Glasgow struck two minutes into the second half as they wore the Dragons down and sent Brown through a gap. Hastings converted for a 21-0 lead.
Ackerman carried strongly but stripped ball ended an attack before Hastings launched a huge bomb up field for a five-metre lineout. The driving maul then powered over for the try bonus.
Dragons rung the changes with Niall Armstrong and Harry Beddall on for debuts before the hour. Anderson broke into clear space from a flat pass from De Beer to threaten Glasgow before the home side regrouped.
De Beer then produced a moment of magic as he chipped ahead and collected his own kick before Anderson and Richards combined to send the wing over. But the try was ruled out for a forward pass.
Glasgow broke in midfield through Steyn and set up Horne for his second of the game and fifth home score.
Home hooker Johnny Matthews celebrated his 100th game for Glasgow with a close-range score before the Warriors had the final word when a penalty try was awarded with the final play.
Timeline:
10m Steyn t Hastings c 7-0
24m Horne t Hastings c 14-0
43m Brown t Hastings c 21-0
48m Hiddleston t Hastings c 28-0
62m Horne t Horne c 35-0
67m Matthews t Lancaster c 42-0
80m Penalty t 49-0
Glasgow: Josh McKay, Kyle Steyn, Ollie Smith, Sione Tuipulotu, Jamie Dobie, Adam Hastings, George Horne; Rory Sutherland, Gregor Hiddleston, Fin Richardson, Alex Craig, Scott Cummings, Gregor Brown, Macenzzie Duncan, Euan Ferrie
Replacements: Johnny Matthews, Patrick Schickerling, Murphy Walker, Alex Samuel, Max Williamson, Angus Fraser, Ben Afshar, Dan Lancaster
Dragons RFC: Huw Anderson, Fine Inisi, Aneurin Owen, Harri Ackerman (Dyer 65), David Richards, Jac Lloyd (De Beer 51), Che Hope (Armstrong 51); Rodrigo Martinez (Kelleher-Griffiths 51), Oli Burrows (Benjamin 51), Dillon Lewis (Coleman 51), Levi Douglas (Screech 31), Seb Davies, Ryan Woodman, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Mackenzie Martin (Beddall 50)
Replacements: James Benjamin, Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths, Chris Coleman, Matthew Screech, Harry Beddall, Niall Armstrong, Tinus de Beer, Rio Dyer
Referee: Peter Martin (IRFU, 8th game)
Attendance: 6,802
