5Newport Gwent Dragons kicked off 2007 with a home win over reigning Heineken Cup champions Munster.
Despite trailing 12-6 at half time, The Dragons roared back in the second half to score 13 unanswered points.
The Dragons were made to work hard for the win and despite having all the possession in the first half it was Munster who scored two tries with centre Lifeimi Mafi scoring both although the rain which had fallen earlier in the day made handling difficult in the opening exchanges.
The Dragons strung together an impressive opening move with Captain Kevin Morgan slicing through the defence only for wing Aled Brew to spill possession. It was Munster who scored first following their first attacking move of the match, Munster's hooker Andy Kyriacou burst into The Dragons 22 before fly half Jeremy Manning sent Kiwi centre Mafi over for the opening score. Manning duly added the conversion to give the visitors a 7-0 lead.
The Dragons lost hooker Ben Daly after 15 minutes when he limped off with a calf injury with Kieran Crawford coming on as a replacement.
Ceri Sweeney kicked 14 points comprising of a conversion, three penalties and a drop goal bringing his points tally for the season to 163 and was in commanding form while Colin Charvis was again a formidable figure and academy centre Ashley Smith was awarded Man of the Match.
Sweeney got The Dragons on the score sheet after kicking over a penalty when Kyriacou was penalised for killing the ball and consequently sent to the sin bin which reduced the deficit to five points.
However, it was 14-man Munster who got the points when Mafi went over for his second try which was unconverted.
Sweeney had the final say of the first half when he slotted over a drop goal.
Flanker Jamie Ringer began The Dragons fight back in the second half scoring a try after 48 minutes going over from close range and when Sweeney added the conversion the home side went ahead for the first time in the game.
Lock Peter Sidoli went close to scoring a try following a lovely step from young centre Smith.
Munster lock Donnacha Ryan was shown the yellow card for a professional foul in the 73rd minute and Sweeney landed the resultant penalty and Sweeney ensured the result with a 79th minute penalty.
The win moves The Dragons up to eighth place in the Magners League table and closes the gap on the other Welsh regions and they are back in League action at the end of the month when they host Borders at Rodney Parade on Friday 26th January.
