Dragons still in the frame after Warren double strike

DRAGONS stuttered to an unconvincing victory over Russians EniseiSTM at Rodney Parade.

Two tries from centre Adam Warren and a second half score from blindside Aaron Wainwright was enough to see off fierce resistance from the visitors and put Dragons, albeit, temporarily top of the pool.

Dragons lock James Sheekey said: “We didn’t really click and the conditions dictated the game a bit. Perhaps they don’t play a great brand of rugby but they are a very tough side to beat. They are physical and like to stick the ball up the jumper.

“We would have liked the bonus point but we weren’t accurate enough. But we grinded out a hard-fought win, the boys are pleased we kept a clean sheet and it’s on to Newcastle next week.

Despite travelling over 3,000 miles, Rodney Parade would have felt like home for the Siberian outfit with snow showers throughout the game.

Enisei made life extremely difficult for the Dragons starving them of possession for much of the first half. But after a scoreless first quarter the hosts grabbed their first try when outside half Arwel Robson glided past three defenders to put Warren over.

The Russians proved they were anything but whipping boys by going down the other end and coming close to opening their account.

Yuri Kushnarev made the initial dart and wing Richard Kingi looked to be set for a go at the whitewash but scrum-half Alexey Shcherban’s pass was poor.

The closest Enisei came to scoring was on the stroke of half time when, after a number of powerful carries, flanker Mikheil Gachechiladze appeared to score. But the try was disallowed meaning the Dragons turned around 5-0 to the good.

The introduction of Gavin Henson sparked the Dragons into life with his range of passing almost putting in Jarred Rosser who was tackled into touch just short of the line.

The home side’s pack began to take control in the second half with Wainwright touching down in the far-right hand corner following a neat kick through by full back Angus O’Brien.

With the Russians tiring Warren sealed the victory with the side’s third try, touching down in the corner as a result of a cross kick from O’Brien.