Head Coach Dai Flanagan hailed his Dragons after they stunned Ospreys 32-25 in a BKT United Rugby Championship derby classic on home soil.
Rio Dyer – fresh from his Wales call-up - grabbed a brace of tries and Aaron Wainwright, Bradley Roberts and a penalty try saw the Men of Gwent secure a try bonus point win.
Ospreys had scored in the first minute through George North and then had a chance of a remarkable draw at the death when the Dragons were down to 13 men.
But Dragons stood firm roared on by a home crowd of 6,031 in Newport to the delight of Flanagan.
“I’m super proud of the players,” he said. “It was a great effort and we also showed rugby smarts. I was really pleased with how we looked to play the game.
“I was a bit twitchy at the end but for 76 minutes we were really composed.
“We were 7-0 down after 45 seconds and a low-confidence team could have crumbled but we showed that we can get together, stick to the plan and execute it.
“It was all about pressure, we played the game in the right areas for 60, 70 per cent of it. When we didn’t we absorbed pressure.
“It’s another step for us. We have a good group and there are four international rugby teams in Wales on paper, so it’s important that we all step up.”
Flanagan also pinpointed the performances of back row duo Aaron Wainwright and Ross Moriarty after missing out for Wales earlier this week.
“We were all disappointed for Moriarty and Wainwright but there is no better place to stand up and be counted than in a derby and they were both superb in what they specialise in,” said Flanagan.
“Moriarty is physical and hits things while Wainwright is elusive and a strong ball carrier; we saw that against the Ospreys.
“Aaron was superb and has had to bide his time here because Sean Lonsdale has been impressive with the lineout defence.
“Aaron is so explosive and when you have Jack Dixon, Steff Hughes, JJ Hanrahan at full-back, having him on their shoulder holds defenders.”
Flanagan also praised man of the moment Dyer - with his late intercept score proving vital.
“I can’t deny I was really happy when Rio picked off that pass at the end,” smiled Flanagan.
“He has made a decision and we always back the boys to make those decisions. He was superb.
“Rio is learning day by day and the pleasing thing is how much he is touching the ball now.
“At the start of the year he had half the touches he does now. He is working hard off his wing and boy can he finish.”
Dragons have one more game in the first block of the URC with Zebre coming to Newport on Saturday (kick-off 5.15pm).
“There are a lot of knocks, we’ve got a six-day turnaround and we’ve got to repeat what we did from Munster to the Sharks,” said Flanagan.
I’m super proud of the players... It was a great effort and we also showed real rugby smarts...
