Long wait for away win goes on for Dragons

THE Dragons’ long wait for an away win continues with Benetton claiming a six-try bonus point victory to boost their play-off hopes.

The Welsh region haven’t won on the road since they triumphed out in Pau in the Challenge Cup in January 2023, while their last away success in the league was at the Scarlets in April 2022.

They did pick up three long-range counter-strike tries to add to the entertainment in Treviso, but were outplayed overall, with mistakes costing them dearly.

Coach Dai Flanagan admitted: “I am bitterly disappointed. Our error rate was through the roof.

“Our competitiveness didn’t exist first half and we need to be better. We have got to look at ourselves. It was an opportunity missed.”

Skipper Dan Lydiate added: “We just weren’t consistent enough in our performance. Benetton are a tough team and we gifted them a couple of tries.”

Benetton were led out by full-back Rhyno Smith on his 50th appearance and the South African swiftly marked the occasion in style, crossing after just seven minutes off a slick backs move that saw wing Leonardo Marin loop around two players in midfield.

On top in the scrum and enjoying the upper hand in both territory and possession, the hosts kept up the pressure as the half wore on and were rewarded when hooker Gianmarco Lucchesi broke away from a lineout maul and stretched over.

Then, five minutes before the break, they were handed a gift when Dragons centre Aneurin Owen flicked the ball backwards in midfield and scrum-half Andy Uren gleefully intercepted to run in from 60 metres.

Two minutes into the second half, the tables were turned when the visitors’ pacy wing Jared Rosser picked off a Tomas Albornoz pass just outside his own 22 and raced away.

But the home side quickly responded by claiming their bonus point try, with wing Onisi Ratave collecting an Albornoz cross kick and breaking the tackle of full-back Cai Evans to touch down.

Then came the longest run-in of the day as Dragons scrum-half Dane Blacker pocketed a Smith spillage on his own 22 and showed impressive speed to stay clear of the chasers.

The Italians made the victory safe as forwards Edoardo Iachizzi and Lamaro went over, before replacement scrum-half Che Hope got a late consolation.

Benetton captain Michele Lamaro said: “The effort everyone puts in is unbelievable. I’m very proud of the team.”