Boss Filo Tiatia praised his Dragons for ‘finding solutions’ as they produced a powerful second half surge to blitz past Newcastle Red Bulls 35-12 in the EPCR Challenge Cup at Rodney Parade.
The English visitors had edged a tense and closely fought first half 12-7 - despite a well-worked score from Rio Dyer.
But 28 unanswered second half points saw the Men of Gwent wrap up the bonus point and keep qualification hopes alive.
“First half we applied a lot of pressure and had good momentum, but we didn’t execute and get the points that we should have got,” said Tiatia.
“We conceded a late try, with the penalty advantage, so we went into the sheds and spoke about being clinical and the areas we needed to tidy up.
“I felt we were in second gear a lot of the first half and didn’t finish things. We needed to go up a gear with collision stuff.
“Tom Christie and the loose forwards for Newcastle did a good job of slowing the ball down and staying in the tackle lane.
“We found some solutions in the second half and managed to build. We’re really happy with our second half performance.
“We are working hard, there is lot of uncertainty in Wales, but we all want to play well for our family, ourselves and the fans. It’s a positive night.”
Dragons now await the result of the Perpignan versus Lions game on Saturday afternoon – only a high scoring draw can deny Dragons passage into the last 16.
“We’ve done our role and got the win with the extra bonus point. What happens in that game happens,” insisted Tiatia.
“God willing it will swing out way, but sometimes he does funny things. We’ll wait and see.”
Instead, the Head Coach took time to praise another boisterous home crowd that roared his men to victory.
“The fans are a massive part of our success,” he stated. “You can hear them constantly when I am up the top gantry, particularly when there is pressure or mistakes happen.
"They add real value to the group. We have 15 players on the field, and the fans are the 16th man and more. They are awesome.”
The fans are a massive part of our success... We have 15 players on the field, and the fans are the 16th man and more. They are awesome...
