DRAGONS GO CLOSE AGAIN
THE Dragons missed out on a first home win of the season as they allowed Gloucester back in to snatch victory in their Challenge Cup clash at Rodney Parade.
The Gwent side are winless in their last 12, with their solitary win this season back in October away to Connacht, but a second victory looked on the cards after a promising first half that saw them nine points ahead.
However, a scoreless second half and a hat-trick of tries for Gloucester hooker Santiago Socino meant their wait for a first victory at Rodney Parade since the Rainbow Cup clash with the Scarlets last April goes on.
It was the Gallagher Premiership side who started strongly, with Socino on hand to score as the visitors drove over from a lineout on 14 minutes.
The Dragons responded well, with Wales flanker Taine Basham crossing for a try phases after strong carries from himself and the impressive Jack Dixon, making his 150th appearance for the region, set the tone for the attack.
Soon after, the Dragons had a stunning second. Sam Davies gathered his own deft kick and freed Gonzalo Bertranou with a pass out the back.
The scrum-half did well to find Harri Keddie, who got his hands free for a sumptuous offload to Jared Rosser, and the wing raced away to put the home side ahead just before the half-hour mark.
Wales wing Louis Rees-Zammit went over minutes before the break to close the gap to just two points after the Dragons’ defence were sucked in.
But some bold attack saw the home side extend their half-time lead well after the clock had gone red, with the superlative Keddie eventually crossing after some lovely build-up play from fly-half Davies.
However, that was as good as it got for the Dragons.
The English side grew into the game and, once Elliot Dee was sent to the sin-bin for collapsing a maul, it was only a matter of time before they forged ahead.
While he was in the bin, Socino burrowed over for two more tries from driving mauls.
Try as they might, the Dragons couldn’t get back in front as the chance of just their second win of the season went begging.