Newport Gwent Dragons' European Challenge Cup competition homes ended in France on the weekend as they lost 46-29 to Clermont Auvergne.
In glorious sunshine an entertaining game was played and spectators were treated to an 11-try spectacle.
The French side led 6-0 thanks to two penalties but The Dragons replied with a try from Aled Brew. Paul Emerick broke and fed Michael Owen who off loaded the ball to Brew who broke a Clermont tackle as he powered to the try line
However, Clermont hit back with wing Aurelien Rougerie going over for a try which was converted. The home side then hit the visitors with two converted tries in three minutes. This put them 27-5 ahead and then The Dragons lost flanker Jamie Ringer who was shown the yellow card. Just before the break The Dragons put pressure on the home side and Emmanuel Etien was sin binned. From a clever move resultant of a free kick Adam Black burst through the Clermont defence for a clever converted try.
Early in the second half Brew got his second after collecting a chip ahead. However, Clermont got back on the try scoring sheet when Marsh scored a try as the game really opened up. It was then The Dragons who scored again through lock Ian Gough who ran in on the wing to score a try. However, Clermont scored two tries through hooker Brice Miguel and Mignoni to book their place in the final of the Challenge Cup. However, The Dragons showed their fighting spirit and refused to give up and were rewarded when Phil Dollman collected his chip ahead to score a deserved try.
Speaking after the game Head Coach Paul Turner said, "They overran us at times, especially in the first half and we couldn't contain them. We always said the opening 20 minutes would be absolutely crucial and we missed tackles and our set piece game was poor. It's always hard coming back from a big deficit, especially against a side of Clermont's quality. We gave out all but yet again it just wasn't enough."
Captain Kevin Morgan said, "We showed a lot of heart but we still have to go home with a defeat. Not many teams come to France and win and we knew we would have to be at our best from start to finish to do so. Unfortunately we couldn't get going and weren't allowed to as we were starved of the ball in the first half which ultimately cost us. We can take heart out of the way we never gave up but, ultimately, we go home disappointed with a defeat. It was good though for us to play against a side like this and we had a lot of young players out there who would have learned a lot. It will have helped our younger players in the long-term and we will move on and learn a great deal from the tournament. We've managed to blood a few new faces and stood up well in a tough competition."
