Every week we will be looking back in the archives at memorable games from the past as part of our Classic Dragons feature. This week we turn back the clock to September 20th 2013 as Dragons stunned Scarlets on home soil…
Dragons 23 Scarlets 16
Dragons ended a 10-match losing run against the Scarlets in a compelling derby day fixture at Rodney Parade.
Front row legend Phil Price and full back Dan Evans both went over for the hosts as they built a 17-3 lead.
The kicking of Rhys Priestland and a Scott Williams try boosted Scarlets' hopes.
However, the Dragons held out in a second half in which Jason Tovey and Tom Prydie edged the kicking duel with in-form Priestland.
Victory for the hosts had came after six defeats by regional rivals in 2012-13 to underline their early-season improvement.
The first Welsh derby of the season got under way with the visitors soon on the back foot, largely due to the adventurous approach of the Dragons.
Prop Price took Argentine front-row team-mate Francisco Chaparro's offload for the first try in the right corner, which Tovey expertly converted.
Priestland kicked the first points for the visitors before the Dragons again established themselves deep in Scarlets territory.
Patience was crucial in the build-up and scrum-half Richie Rees delayed the final pass perfectly, allowing full-back Evans to go over.
Tovey converted to give the Dragons a 17-3 lead, but that was soon cut to 11 points by Priestland's second kick.
Rob McCusker's athletic effort in cover defence brought down Dragons wing Hallam Amos at the corner before Jonathan Davies gave centre partner Williams the chance to sidestep through the Dragons defence.
Priestland converted and - having been under pressure for much of the opening period - the Scarlets trailed by only four points at the break.
Priestland and Tovey exchanged penalties to keep the contest finely balanced going into the final quarter - but Prydie's 69th-minute penalty from the left-hand touchline gave the home side breathing space.
The visitors had the Dragons under pressure with a series of late scrums, but they could not control the final drive, giving Number Eight Toby Faletau the chance to gather and kick out to signal the end of the game.
Dragons: Dan Evans, Tom Prydie, Ross Wardle (Hughes 72), Jack Dixon, Hallam Amos, Jason Tovey (Burton 78), Richie Rees (J. Evans 60); Phil Price (O. Evans 56), Rhys Thomas (Gustafson 8), Francisco Chaparro (Way 55), Andrew Coombs (c), Matthew Screech (Sidoli 68), Jevon Groves (Talei 63), Lewis Evans, Toby Faletau.
Scarlets: Gareth Owen (Reynolds 21); Liam Williams, Jon Davies, Scott Williams, Jordan Williams; Rhys Priestland, Gareth Davies (A. Davies 71); Phil John (Evans 63), Ken Owens (Phillips 63), Samson Lee (Adriaanse 63), Jake Ball, George Earle (Kelly 70), Aaron Shingler (Turnbull 60), Rob McCusker, John Barclay
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)
Attendance: 6,777
Dragons ended a 10-match losing run against the Scarlets in a compelling derby day fixture at Rodney Parade...
