Buttress to step up after Davies exit
DAVID Buttress will become executive chairman of the Dragons following chief executive Stuart Davies’ departure from Rodney Parade by mutual consent.
Buttress was appointed chairman three months ago and formed a four-man board in an effort to take the Gwent region forward.
Former Wales No.8 Davies voiced his disappointment at leaving his post after almost three years at the helm, in which he guided the Dragons through a major transition period.
Buttress will make a high-level commercial appointment in the new year as he continues to restructure the business and administration team.
“I have been hugely excited by what I have seen at the Dragons since taking over as chairman and I’m looking forward to rolling my sleeves up further and getting even more involved in the business,” said Buttress, who has also invested financially to buy a minority shareholding in the entity.
“These are really exciting times for the Dragons and I’d like to go on record to thank Stuart personally for his role in getting us to where we are today.”
Davies, who was appointed as chief executive of the Dragons in February 2015, said: “I will always be very proud of the historic and transformational change that I brought about for the region and of leading the business successfully through such a difficult period.
“Whilst I am obviously disappointed to be leaving at this time, I wish the team and the staff the very best of luck and would like to thank all those who supported me during my time at Rodney Parade.
DRAGONS ........................ 25 NEWCASTLE ................... 27
A BAFFLING decision to go for a try rather than take an eminently kickable shot at goal with four minutes remaining probably cost the Dragons a chance to beat Newcastle Falcons in Newport in Europe’s Challenge Cup.
The Gwent region had crossed twice with forward drives from line-outs in the first half but spilled the ball on this occasion.
Dragons then twice attempted to set up Gavin Henson for a dropgoal but he had to abort each attempt after being closed down quickly and they ran out of time.
Defeat means they are eight points behind the English club at the top of Pool One with back-toback fixtures to come against French outfit Bordeaux-Begles.
There had been five tries and 41 points during an incredible first half at Rodney Parade.
Newcastle went 14-0 in front with scores from wings Adam Radwan, following a burst from former Ospreys favourite Josh Matavesi, and Zach Kibirige, outside-half Joel Hodgson converting both.
But that was the signal for the Dragons to breathe fire with Elliot Dee twice capitalising following driving line-outs.
Those strikes took the new Wales cap’s try tally for the campaign to seven with Henson succeeding with the conversions to level matters before nudging them ahead, only for it to be cancelled out by Hodgson.
Falcons had the final say of the half with Radwan slicing open the home defence for flanker Gary Graham to score, Hodgson again converting.
Newcastle knew what was coming after Henson put a penalty into the corner and disrupted Dragons’ drive from the line-out. The ball broke loose and Henson threw a long pass to Hallam Amos. The Wales international rounded his marker before putting Welsh rugby’s fastest player Ashton Hewitt over for an unconverted try to reduce the deficit to two points.
Henson nailed a penalty from 39m at the hour mark to put Dragons ahead for a second time but Hodgson replied to give Falcons the spoils. Dragons – Tries: E Dee (2), A Hewitt; cons: G Henson (2); pens: Henson (2). Newcastle – Tries: A Radwan, Z Kibirige, G Graham; cons: J Hodgson (3), pens: Hodgson (2).