DRAGONS ROAR IN GALWAY TRIUMPH
THE Dragons won in Galway for the first time since 2004 as Dean Ryan’s men secured their first victory of the season with an impressive performance.
A brace from Jonah Holmes and further scores from Jordan Williams and Mesake Doge secured the bonus point in an outstanding performance.
Connacht had edged the first half, dictating proceedings through the boot of fly-half Jack Carty.
Two of his penalties had built a steady lead, although he did pull a third one which could be deemed a sitter even in the changeable conditions of Galway.
However, the Dragons grew into the half, with Sam Davies getting them on the scoreboard with a penalty.
Davies was understandably delighted with the region’s performance.
“Yes, it is huge. We know ourselves we are capable of this and it was just a case of proving it to other people,” he said.
“We have built a great squad over the last couple of years and we are now capable of coming to places like this and getting the victory, which we have shown tonight.
“It has been coming for a while and in the first couple of games, we felt as if we could win those matches but it was not to be.
“We have felt we are better than we have ever been as a squad now and we are looking to build on this next weekend against the Stormers.”
It was the mercurial talent of fullback Williams which produced a moment of magic to move the Dragons ahead.
His chip-and-chase opened up the stubborn home defence, before he freed the remarkable Holmes to race away and score in the corner.
However, just as they’d taken the lead, the pendulum rocked back again.
Will Rowlands was sent to the sinbin for not rolling away, giving Carty the chance to push Connacht ahead which he duly took.
Rowlands’ absence meant the visitors spent the last 10 minutes of the half under the cosh, with two crucial defensive interventions from Holmes ensuring it was only another Carty penalty that troubled the scorers before the break.
But, back to a full complement after the break, the Dragons really kicked on.
An increased attacking fluidity saw Williams glide past a couple of would-be tacklers to score himself, putting the away side in front once again.
Then a 50:22 from Davies handed the Dragons an immediate chance to extend their lead, with some strong carrying from the pack eventually seeing prop Doge force his way over for the Dragons’ third.
The home side responded well, with some red-zone pressure getting them their first try just before the hour mark.
Tricky winger Mack Hansen was on hand out wide to make that pressure pay, but the Dragons responded perfectly.
First, Davies extended their lead with a long-range penalty moments later.
And then they sealed the bonus point with 15 minutes to play as Davies stabbed a kick through for Holmes to dive upon after some effective phase play.
Connacht threatened to make it interesting as Connor Fitzgerald scored with seven minutes left, but another Davies penalty eased the fears of even the most nervous of Dragons fans.