Newport Gwent Dragons completed a confident mauling of a weakened Worcester Warriors outfit at the Sixways Stadium last night, crossing the line seven times to smash their highest score of the season.
The friendly proved invaluable match practice as the Men of Gwent handled the appalling conditions admirably to score seven excellent team tries that should boost confidence ahead of a crucial Magners League match against Connacht a week on Sunday.
The opening points came from home fly-half Joe Carlisle after the Dragons were adjudged to be offside in a tentative start that showed weaknesses in discipline. Soon after Dragons settled and began to set the tone with an authority at the lineout giving them great ball possession, with Worcester loosing James Collins to the sin-bin it unlocked the gates as the visitors added 12 quick-fire points before the break.
After half-time there was only one team in it as Dragons cut loose scoring four more unanswered tries to complete a convincing rout against a young and inexperienced Warriors, who lost former Dragon Hal Luscombe to a late withdrawal before kick-off.
The Dragons didn’t fly off the mark, with the early pressure belonging to an eager Worcester team, which profited from an anxious defence allowing Carlisle to slot over a 35 metre penalty. This proved the apparent calming effect to the Dragons as they started to roll through the phases with Arlidge putting them in good areas.
Dragons flirted with the line after going for the corner from a penalty, but the truck and trailer ruling destructed the opportunity. Worcester broke quickly with Carlisle directing play and chipping over to allow centre Greg King a chance to profit, only to end in a mud heap after a collision with Rhodri Gomer-Davies.
Carlisle continued to dictate the Warriors attack as he found gaps in the defence, but neither team looked able to punish as Davies made a storming run but failed to find the supporting runners. It took a moment of inspiration to open the try count as Adam Jones stole opposition ball at the lineout and released Steve Jones, who appeared to escape through the middle of an disorganised rolling maul. The mischievous hooker offloaded to Grant Webb on the 22 to sprint in for his second try in Dragons colours.
A decisive point in the match arrived on 32 minutes as James Collins was shown the yellow card for handling in a ruck just metres from his own line after a break led by Richard Fussell. The resultant penalty placed further pressure on the Midlands team and after a strong scrum the ball was spread wide allowing Jason Tovey to score in the corner. Arlidge was unfortunate to hit the post with the conversion attempt.
The Dragons were firmly in their rhythm as half-time neared, quickly spread ball set Aled Brew free to beat four defenders with his dancing feet and electric gas for the try of the match. Arlidge added the two points before the break to extend the 17-3 lead.
The Gwent region started where they left off after the break as they pinned the Warriors onto their defensive line. The four substitutions didn’t change the flow as Dan Lydiate nearly made an immediate impact from the tail of a lineout, only for prop Hugh Gustafson to score from the following phase. Arlidge confidently struck the conversion in the slippery conditions.
Shortly afterwards Duane Goodfield replaced Steve Jones to make his debut for the club and the lineout didn’t falter as Dragons piled on the pressure forcing mistakes out of an inexperienced side. However, Samoan full-back Loki Crichton gathered to launch a counter attack on the travelling side, but a last gasp tackle from MacDonald saved the Dragons.
Turner made a further six changes in a five minute period as he gave many players a run out ahead of the visit of Irish province, Connacht. Alex Walker’s first role was a scintillating show of pace to touchdown in the corner from an astute blind move off the back row after prolonged pressure. Tovey was unable to add the conversion from the touch line as he took kicking responsibilities from the substituted Arlidge.
As the game neared its conclusion with five minutes left the Dragons were looking a finished article showing the skills needed to compete at the other end of the Magners League. Walker again provided the maestro of Tovey to break the gain line and send in Gareth Wyatt. With moments left on the watch there was just time for ten continuous phases from the Dragons to be finished by the rapid Wyatt who scored his second in four minutes. This time Tovey converted the tricky conversion to leave the scores at 41-3 when Nick Ashton called time.
Newport Gwent Dragons: Jason Tovey, Richard Fussell (Gareth Wyatt 40), Rhodri Gomer-Davies (Rory Sidey 64), Ashley Smith (captain), Aled Brew (Kevin Morgan 80), James Arlidge (Martyn Thomas 65), Wayne Evans (Alix Walker 67), Hugh Gustafson (Nigel Hall 58), Steve Jones (Duane Goodfield (48), Rhys Thomas (Jamie Corsi 62), Adam Jones (Andrew Hall 40), Sean Tomes (Dan Lydiate 40), Hoani MacDonald (Adam Jones 67), Grant Webb (Lewis Evans 40), Joe Bearman (Jamie Ringer 64).
Referee: Nick Ashton
Gareth Alred
The friendly proved invaluable match practice as the Men of Gwent handled the appalling conditions admirably to score seven excellent team tries that should boost confidence ahead of a crucial Magners League match against Connacht a week on Sunday.
The opening points came from home fly-half Joe Carlisle after the Dragons were adjudged to be offside in a tentative start that showed weaknesses in discipline. Soon after Dragons settled and began to set the tone with an authority at the lineout giving them great ball possession, with Worcester loosing James Collins to the sin-bin it unlocked the gates as the visitors added 12 quick-fire points before the break.
After half-time there was only one team in it as Dragons cut loose scoring four more unanswered tries to complete a convincing rout against a young and inexperienced Warriors, who lost former Dragon Hal Luscombe to a late withdrawal before kick-off.
The Dragons didn’t fly off the mark, with the early pressure belonging to an eager Worcester team, which profited from an anxious defence allowing Carlisle to slot over a 35 metre penalty. This proved the apparent calming effect to the Dragons as they started to roll through the phases with Arlidge putting them in good areas.
Dragons flirted with the line after going for the corner from a penalty, but the truck and trailer ruling destructed the opportunity. Worcester broke quickly with Carlisle directing play and chipping over to allow centre Greg King a chance to profit, only to end in a mud heap after a collision with Rhodri Gomer-Davies.
Carlisle continued to dictate the Warriors attack as he found gaps in the defence, but neither team looked able to punish as Davies made a storming run but failed to find the supporting runners. It took a moment of inspiration to open the try count as Adam Jones stole opposition ball at the lineout and released Steve Jones, who appeared to escape through the middle of an disorganised rolling maul. The mischievous hooker offloaded to Grant Webb on the 22 to sprint in for his second try in Dragons colours.
A decisive point in the match arrived on 32 minutes as James Collins was shown the yellow card for handling in a ruck just metres from his own line after a break led by Richard Fussell. The resultant penalty placed further pressure on the Midlands team and after a strong scrum the ball was spread wide allowing Jason Tovey to score in the corner. Arlidge was unfortunate to hit the post with the conversion attempt.
The Dragons were firmly in their rhythm as half-time neared, quickly spread ball set Aled Brew free to beat four defenders with his dancing feet and electric gas for the try of the match. Arlidge added the two points before the break to extend the 17-3 lead.
The Gwent region started where they left off after the break as they pinned the Warriors onto their defensive line. The four substitutions didn’t change the flow as Dan Lydiate nearly made an immediate impact from the tail of a lineout, only for prop Hugh Gustafson to score from the following phase. Arlidge confidently struck the conversion in the slippery conditions.
Shortly afterwards Duane Goodfield replaced Steve Jones to make his debut for the club and the lineout didn’t falter as Dragons piled on the pressure forcing mistakes out of an inexperienced side. However, Samoan full-back Loki Crichton gathered to launch a counter attack on the travelling side, but a last gasp tackle from MacDonald saved the Dragons.
Turner made a further six changes in a five minute period as he gave many players a run out ahead of the visit of Irish province, Connacht. Alex Walker’s first role was a scintillating show of pace to touchdown in the corner from an astute blind move off the back row after prolonged pressure. Tovey was unable to add the conversion from the touch line as he took kicking responsibilities from the substituted Arlidge.
As the game neared its conclusion with five minutes left the Dragons were looking a finished article showing the skills needed to compete at the other end of the Magners League. Walker again provided the maestro of Tovey to break the gain line and send in Gareth Wyatt. With moments left on the watch there was just time for ten continuous phases from the Dragons to be finished by the rapid Wyatt who scored his second in four minutes. This time Tovey converted the tricky conversion to leave the scores at 41-3 when Nick Ashton called time.
Newport Gwent Dragons: Jason Tovey, Richard Fussell (Gareth Wyatt 40), Rhodri Gomer-Davies (Rory Sidey 64), Ashley Smith (captain), Aled Brew (Kevin Morgan 80), James Arlidge (Martyn Thomas 65), Wayne Evans (Alix Walker 67), Hugh Gustafson (Nigel Hall 58), Steve Jones (Duane Goodfield (48), Rhys Thomas (Jamie Corsi 62), Adam Jones (Andrew Hall 40), Sean Tomes (Dan Lydiate 40), Hoani MacDonald (Adam Jones 67), Grant Webb (Lewis Evans 40), Joe Bearman (Jamie Ringer 64).
Referee: Nick Ashton
Gareth Alred
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