Aaron Wainwright scored a blistering try after just 12 seconds of the new season - but it was Ulster who hit back to claim a BKT United Rugby Championship victory at Affidea Stadium.
Wales international Wainwright stormed over inside the opening minute, and wing Jared Rosser also crossed the whitewash early on as ethe Men of Gwent made a fast start to the new league campaign.
But it was the relentless home side who roared back strong to make it nine straight victories in the fixture with a three try burst either side of the interval securing maximum points.
A Shane Lewis-Hughes try after the break gave hope that the visitors could take something from the fixture, but a disallowed try from Rhodri Williams late on left Dragons empty-handed.
Head Coach Filo Tiatia awarded three debuts from the start with Tinus de Beer and front row duo Wyn Jones and Rob Hunt all included.
It was also a significant night for lock Matthew Screech who made his 200th appearance for the club – just the second man to achieve such a feat – as he led the team into battle.
The visitors made a dream start as the kick-off went loose in midfield, the ball was hacked ahead and Wainwright gobbled up the ball to score after just 12 seconds. De Beer converted for a 7-0 lead.
A first scrum of the game saw Dragons secure a huge penalty and kick deep as they locked to work territory and build on fast start.
Cormac Izuchukwu sparked a sustained home attack after he barged past men down the right flank before Dragons looked to hold firm in defence.
Ulster’s first penalty of the night saw them pop the ball to the corner and power forward before the home pack kept it tight and punched holes until Izuchukwu went over. Nathan Doak levelled the scores.
Dragons, though, hit back immediately as a clever grubber kick in behind from O’Brien went to Rosser who timed his run and cut back to perfection to glide over. De Beer added the extras.
The visitors were dealt a doble injury blow as Elliot Dee and Jared Rosser were soon forced off with Brodie Coghlan and Fine Inisi on, the later for his debut.
Ulster threatened with super break from double and were only denied by a knock on as they looked to keep the ball alive metres from the try line.
The hosts were not to be denied soon afterwards as again the home pack went to work as they powered up close before Nick Timoney burrowed over. Doak levelled it once more.
De Beer saw a drop goal attempt wide from a drop out, and it was Ulster who came strong again with a Lowry breakout ending with David McCann going over.
Four minutes later the home side went further clear with Lowry offloading again and finding Zak Ward who stretched out to score by the touchline and open a 28-14 lead by the break.
The momentum continued after the break as a break down the blindside gave Doak an easy score that he converted himself.
Westwood became the latest player to leave the field, with new boy Inisi moving to centre and Huw Anderson to the wing.
Dragons needed a foothold and went to the corner from a penalty. The forwards drove on and Rhodri Williams sniped up close before Wyn Jones dived for the line. But the TMO adjudged no score.
Relentless pressure paid off as Lewis-Hughes cracked his way over after a series of blasts from the forwards.
Moments later a slick move between Wainwright and Coghlan saw the visitors go close as Keddie hit contact, but Ulster regrouped to reclaim possession.
More new faces saw Levi Douglas and Mackenzie Martin introduced before the hour mark.
Owen looked to slide Wainwright into space, but play was pulled back for a forward pass, as Dragons continued to push for a fourth score.
A brilliant 50:22 from de Beer set up another attacking platform and a lovely inside ball found Anderson but his pop pass up went forward and the try from scrum half Williams was chalked off.
And it was Ulster who struck late as replacement Tom Stewart went over with the final play to add gloss to the score line.
Timeline:
01m Wainwright t De Beer c 0-7
12m Izuchukwu t Doak c 7-7
16m Rosser t De Beer c 7-14
27m Timoney t Doak c 14-14
33m McCann t Doak c 21-14
37m Ward t Doak c 28-14
42m Doak t Doak c 35-14
49m Lewis-Hughes t De Beer c 35-21
80m Stewart t Flannery c 42-21
Ulster: Michael Lowry, Zac Ward, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Jack Murphy, Nathan Doak; Callum Reid, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson, Harry Sheridan, Cormac Izuchukwu, Nick Timoney, David McCann
Replacements: Tom Stewart, Sam Crean, Scott Wilson, Matthew Dalton, Juarno Augustus, Conor McKee, Jake Flannery, Ben Carson
Dragons RFC: Angus O’Brien, Rio Dyer, Joe Westwood (Anderson 44), Aneurin Owen, Jared Rosser (Inisi 24), Tinus de Beer, Rhodri Williams (Hope 75); Wyn Jones (Martinez 51), Elliot Dee (Coghlan 18), Rob Hunt (Lewis 51), Matthew Screech (Douglas 57), Ben Carter, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Harri Keddie (Martin 57), Aaron Wainwright
Replacements: Brodie Coghlan, Rodrigo Martinez, Dillon Lewis, Levi Douglas, Mackenzie Martin, Che Hope, Fine Inisi, Huw Anderson
Referee: Griffin Colby (SARU, 7th game)
Attendance: 9,563
