Scrum half Dan Babos grabbed a first half brace of tries but it was Scarlets Development who claimed a 29-10 victory in an entertaining friendly encounter at Rodney Parade on Friday evening.
Babos grabbed a superb double as Dragons A started the home game on the front foot, backed by a healthy crowd of 1,406 under the lights in Newport.
But it was Scarlets who took the spoils as they edged ahead courtesy of former Dragon Tyler Morgan before moving clear in the second period.
The game was an opportunity for both squads to get valuable game time ahead of a return to United Rugby Championship action later this month.
And for the home side there was also the welcome sight of a successful return for Wales international hooker Elliot Dee after injury.
Dragons started the fixture in eye-catching fashion and early pressure was rewarded when Babos darted over from close range for a 5-0 lead after less than two minutes.
Early momentum, though, was disrupted as back row Ben Fry limped off after a lengthy stoppage and replaced by young Academy ace Ben Moa.
Captain Adam Warren was busy as he rolled out of tackles and, with the forwards eager to carry via the likes of Huw Taylor, Dan Baker and the returning Dee, the home side slowly built pressure.
However, it was Scarlets who enjoyed their best spell before a second home score following a charge down from Jared Rosser.
The ball fell into the hands of Babos and the lively nine raced up to halfway and fed Rio Dyer to burst into space before, as he was dragged down, he offloaded for the scrum half to race to the corner.
Scarlets hit back soon afterwards with a well worked effort, Patchell cross kicking for Ryan Conbeer to wrestle his way over.
Dragons threatened a third try after Ollie Andrew burst through a gap in midfield, but after rattling up close the visiting forwards forced a crucial penalty.
Scarlets took the lead just before the break as neat handling sent Morgan over for a 12-10 lead.
A tight second half saw both teams look to create opportunities before a quickfire double – from Conbeer and replacement Daf Hughes – opened a 24-10 lead for the visitors.
Youngsters such as Will Reed, Che Hope and Ryan Woodman were introduced from the bench while there was a successful return on home soil for Max Williams after his long-term injury.
The final word, though, went to Scarlets as Hughes grabbed his second of the night after more forward power from the visitors late on.
Timeline:
02m Babos t 5-0
19m Babos t 10-0
26m Conbeer t 10-5
36m Morgan t Patchell c 10-12
60m Conbeer t 10-17
65m Hughes t Phillips c 10-24
74m Hughes t 10-29
Dragons: 15 Ioan Davies (Reed 65), 14 Oli Andrew, 13 Jared Rosser, 12 Adam Warren (c), 11 Rio Dyer (Griffiths 40), 10 Josh Lewis (Westwood 78), 9 Dan Babos (Hope 65 (Babos 75)); 1 Greg Bateman (Reynolds 70), 2 Elliot Dee (Shipp 40), 3 Chris Coleman (Jarvis 70), 4 Joe Davies, 5 Joe Maksymiw (Williams 55), 6 Huw Taylor (Woodman 75), 7 Ben Fry (Moa 6), 8 Dan Baker
Replacements: 16 Ellis Shipp, 17 Josh Reynolds, 18 Luke Yendle, 19 Aaron Jarvis, 20 Max Williams, 21 Ryan Woodman, 22 Ben Moa, 23 Che Hope, 24 Will Reed, 25 Tom Griffiths, 26 Joe Westwood
Scarlets Development: 15 Tom Rogers; 14 Ryan Conbeer, 13 Tyler Morgan, 12 Joe Roberts, 11 Callum Williams; 10 Rhys Patchell, 9 Archie Hughes; 1 Kemsley Mathias 2 Shaun Evans (capt), 3 Alex Jeffries, 4 Morgan Jones, 5 Jac Price, 6 Caleb Salmon, 7 Iestyn Rees, 8 Carwyn Tuipulotu.
Replacements: 16 Daf Hughes, 17 Steff Thomas, 18 Harri O’Connor, 19 Osian Davies, 20 Morgan Macrae, 21 Griff Evans, 22 Dane Blacker, 23 Josh Phillips, 24 Eddie James, 25 Steff Hughes
