Wing Ashton Hewitt admitted Dragons needed to turn pressure into points against the champions – after his wonderful finish was all they had to show against Leinster.
Hewitt lit up the RDS with a staggering try – confirmed by the TMO - as he touched down in the corner under intense pressure with an unforgettable flying effort.
However, the 25-year-old conceded it was a bittersweet moment as Dean Ryan’s men left the RDS empty-handed despite long period of pressure.
He said: “We addressed some of the things that we were working on. It is a frustrating one when you feel you’ve got better in some areas that you have targeted but others have slipped a little bit.
“We gave them ins to the game. It took us a bit too long to recognise how to stop their momentum.
“Ultimately we spent enough time in their 22 and didn’t take that and turn pressure into points.
“It’s a good start for us, in that we have positives and pushed Leinster for large parts, it is just a shame about the final score line.
"The most frustrating thing, and it is the same for Dean (Ryan), is that you can’t fault the boys and the work.
“We work hard, I just think there are crucial parts in the game when we need to be a bit smarter.”
As for his try in Dublin that will live long in the memory, Hewitt was always confident the TMO would confirm his flying effort.
“Yeah, I never had any doubt,” he smiled.
“It’s always nice to score, but we came to get a win so it is a bittersweet moment for me.”
Dragons now return home to face Zebre at Rodney Parade on Friday (kick-off 8.15pm).
And Hewitt is hoping the team can register a first league win back in familiar surroundings against the Italian side, who opened with a 16-6 defeat to Cardiff Blues.
“Zebre have improved massively over the last couple of seasons and when they turn up, they turn up to play,” he said.
“It’s good, coming off the back of the Leinster game, that we are back at Rodney Parade.
“Even though there are no fans there, it is a good environment for us.
“It will be nice not to travel and we’ve got to get back to it and look to right the wrongs of the game in Dublin.”
Ultimately we spent enough time in their 22 and didn’t take that and turn pressure into points...
