Dragons pay for poor start
DRAGONS ......................... 21 NORTHAMPTON ............ 35
THE Dragons slumped to defeat to Northampton at Rodney Parade last night.
It looked ominous from the start in the European Challenge Cup clash as lock David Ribbans was driven over the line after some powerful tight work from his colleagues in the pack with Welshman Dan Biggar adding the extras.
Dragons fly-half Josh Lewis put the restart out on the full, and went on to miss touch with a penalty to compound things before the visitors were in again.
Jordan Williams’ high ball was gathered on the far side and Biggar came screaming into the line, demanding the ball, before scything through the flailing Dragons defence.
He drew the last man and sent scrum-half Alex Mitchell racing away for the second try of the night.
The Dragons did get into an attacking position midway through the second half but their maul was well tied up by the Saints pack.
The hosts coughed up a number of penalties to push play back into their own 22 and then Lewis Evans saw yellow as Saints turned the screw through their maul.
Soon after, referee Mathieu Raynal was awarding a penalty try and sending Adam Warren to join Evans in the sin bin.
The Dragons were 21-0 down at the break having not really fired a shot, with their lineout faltering.
But the second half started in promising fashion for the hosts as Elliot Dee twisted his way over the line from close range after a maul did the initial damage.
But the visitors hit back almost straight away, turning on their power game with Ribbans claiming his second of the evening.
Midway through the second half, Dragons centre Jarryd Sage returned to his feet after not being held by Tom Collins to race over for a score to give his side a sniff.
A late Cobus Reinach breakaway then put the result beyond all doubt but there was still time for one final penalty try for the hosts as a result of the driving maul.
Reinach was sent to the sin bin but it came just seconds before referee Raynal called time.