Ex-scarlet Williams relishes a derby win
RHODRI Williams admitted it was nice to get one over his old side as the Dragons got their Rainbow Cup campaign started with a win over the Scarlets.
The Gwent region ran out 52-32 winners in an entertaining 12-try encounter at Rodney Parade.
Dragons captain Williams went close to scoring a try of his own, only for a desperate tackle by Johnny Mcnicholl to keep him out at the corner.
But there were plenty of other tries on show, with Jonah Holmes and Aaron Wainwright both grabbing braces for the Dragons. Jordan Williams, Aneurin Owen and Rio Dyer also crossed the whitewash.
The visitors replied with two tries by wing Steff Evans, while Iestyn Rees, Dane Blacker and Mcnicholl also scored.
“Derby games are special and to get a result like that, the boys are chuffed,” Wales international scrum-half Williams told the Dragons website.
“It would have been a lot nicer if Rodney Parade was full, but we will enjoy that one.”
The victory came after Northampton had staged a dramatic late fightback to defeat the Dragons in the European Challenge Cup earlier this month.
And Williams, who hails from Ammanford, believes lessons have been learned.
“I felt it was a good performance,” he added. “There is still plenty to work on and there were thoughts of Northampton and letting them back in.
“But the boys turned that momentum around and got some scores towards the end.”
Two-try hero Holmes was pleased that the Dragons proved a point as they held off a late rally from the Scarlets.
“It was tiring and a first game in the sun, but a good start in the Rainbow Cup for us,” said the official man of the match.
“We had a bit of a point to prove after the last game and it’s important to get the win.
“We’re looking forward to the next game now. We made it hard for ourselves again late on, but we pulled through. It has been coming for us and we finally did it.”