If rugby clichés were an Olympic sport then ‘A game of two halves’ would be assured of its place on the podium.
However, rarely has the phrase been as applicable than Dragons’ 19-all with Ospreys on Saturday night.
Dragons trailed 19-7 soon after half-time but produced a stirring fightback with the help of their driving maul as tries from Brodie Coghlan and Oli Burrows brought them level.
“What we did in the second half we probably deserved to get a win but we left it too late,” said defence coach Dale MacLeod.
“We had our opportunities and on any other given day we probably would have got there which is the tough thing.
“I was really proud of the fight and the effort to get us back in the game and finish strong and create opportunities.
“We asked at half-time for them to come out and show some of the character that they showed.
“When Ospreys scored again at the start of the second half it could have gone the other way but the boys dug in and for the last half an hour I thought the boys were outstanding.”
Dragons’ forward fight was epitomised by man of the match Aaron Wainwright who produced a stellar display.
Wainwright, along with teammates Ben Carter, Brodie Coghlan, Chris Coleman and Rio Dyer will now head to Wales camp as the URC breaks for the Autumn internationals.
That means the Men of Gwent will have plenty of time to learn from the draw before they host reigning champions Leinster at Rodney Parade on Friday the 28th of November.
“We’ve got to keep building on tonight and building good on good,” said MacLeod.
“When over the years you probably haven’t quite been nailing it or getting what you want it takes a while to find it.
“We’re finding it, just maybe not getting the breaks at the right time but it’ll give us a good chance to reflect on what we need to do and get over the hump.
“The lesson for us is we’re going to have to keep fighting, start better and not wait for things to happen and then go and get it, we’ve got to go and get it from the get go.
“Good lessons which will grow the group and harden the group.”
While it wasn’t quite the result the players, coaches and fans craved, MacLeod praised the crowd post-match who serenaded the players after they came so close to a crucial win.
“There were obviously a few positive things done tonight because what the crowd brought was massive,” said MacLeod.
“What they did at the end of the game, singing to the boys was special.
“It doesn’t come easy, nothing comes easy. We’ve probably been on the wrong end for a wee while so we’ve got to keep believing and keep fighting and I have no doubt it will come.”
There were obviously a few positive things done tonight because what the crowd brought was massive. What they did at the end of the game, singing to the boys was special...
