Dragons fightback earns Losing bonus point
Dragons produced a Jekyll and Hyde performance to salvage a bonus point after falling behind to a ruthless firsthalf display of attacking rugby in the sunshine of Port Elizabeth.
The Welsh side were run ragged by the reigning URC champions, playing a blistering style of rugby and conceded a bonus-point try just before half-time. The Stormers were 21-0 ahead after 23 minutes and the Dragons had no answer to the multiple attacking threats posed by the hosts in a rampant for 40 minutes.
But the Dragons recorded an unlikely bonus-point of their own, scoring four tries by wing Jordan Williams, prop Aki Seiuli, fly-half JJ Hanrahan and replacement prop Josh Reynolds.
Coach Dai Flanagan will be scratching his head as to why his DragTHE ons side left it so late to turn up against the Stormers in an impressive second half rally.
The manner of the defeat will rub salt in the wounds of the Dragons following reports that Wales and Dragons second row, Will Rowlands, has reportedly signed a big-money deal to leave Rodney Parade for French giants, Racing 92, at the end of the season.
The Stormers started with real intent and soon crossed for the game’s first try with flanker Junior Pokomela crossing from short-range after a well worked lineout.
The home side did the same for their second try with hooker Joseph Dweba crossing from a shortrange lineout to leave the Dragons 14-0 behind after nearly as many minutes.
The visitors were staring into the abyss when centre Ruhan Nel crossed for his side’s third try after the Dragons defence
was torn apart by the Stormers quick hands and running angles.
Fly-half Manie Libbok then danced his way through defenders for his side’s fourth try, while wing Williams crossed for an interception try for the visitors to make it 28-7 to the Stormers at the break.
The Dragons struck again after half-time when prop Seiuli barged over from short-range after a well worked lineout close to the Stormers line.
Libbok replied with two penalties for the Stormers while the Dragons were down to 14-men when wing Sio Tomkinson was yellow carded for a professional foul.
Fly-half Hanrahan finished a counter-attack move, showing good hands and feet by the Dragons backs and forwards, to score his side’s third try before replacement prop Reynolds crashed over after a period of pressure by the visitors to secure the valuable bonus point.