Six-try Dragons claim bragging rights over Scarlets in high-scoring Welsh derby
Fetuli Paea celebrates one of the Dragons' tries against the Scarlets at Rodney Parade.
The Dragons claimed bragging rights over the Scarlets in their United Rugby Championship derby as they sealed a 36-26 victory at Rodney Parade on Saturday.
As the scoreline suggests, this was an entertaining encounter and the home side eventually got the rub of the green as they outscored their rivals by six tries to four.
Elliot Dee led the way with a brace while Anzelo Tuitavuki, Rodrigo Martinez, Huw Anderson and Robert Hunt also crossed the whitewash. Their other points came via three conversions from Tinus de Beer and Jac Lloyd also succeeded with a two-pointer off the kicking tee.
For the Scarlets, Macs Page (2), Sam O’Connor and Ioan Jones dotted down while Sam Costelow added three conversions.
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The visitors made a terrific start when Page showed his class with a superb piece of individualism when he set off on a 65-metre run before crossing for the opening try.
Costelow slotted the conversion but despite that setback, the Dragons did not panic and 10 minutes later they launched an attack off the back of a scrum before Tuitavuki went over for his five-pointer with De Beer adding the extras.
The Dragons continued to hold the upper hand and their dominance was rewarded in the 22nd minute when Dee dotted down off the back of a lineout drive.
De Beer failed with the conversion attempt and that proved costly as Page soon crossed for a converted try which gave a Scarlets a narrow 14-12 lead as the teams changed sides at half-time.
The home side regained the initiative early in the second half when Martinez crossed the whitewash but the Scarlets were back in front midway through the half when O’Connor crossed for his try.
Costelow’s successful conversion meant the Scarlets were leading 21-19 but Dragons would not surrender and were eventually rewarded when Anderson dotted down.
Things went pear-shaped for the Scarlets when their skipper Josh Macleod was yellow carded for a cynical defensive foul in the 68th minute before Dee scored his second try shortly afterwards.
The visitors refused to surrender and struck back with Jones’ try but the Dragons clinched the result in the game’s dying moments when Hunt barged over for his five-pointer from close quarters.
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The teams
Dragons: 15 Huw Anderson, 14 Rio Dyer, 13 Fine Inisi, 12 Aneurin Owen, 11 Anzelo Tuitavuki, 10 Tinus de Beer, 9 Rhodri Williams, 8 Harri Keddie, 7 Thomas Young, 6 Shane Lewis-Hughes, 5 Ben Carter (c), 4 Seb Davies, 3 Robert Hunt, 2 Elliot Dee, 1 Rodrigo Martinez
Replacements: 16 Brodie Coghlan, 17 Rhodri Jones, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Ryan Woodman, 20 Harry Beddall, 21 Che Hope, 22 Jac Lloyd, 23 Fetuli Paea
Scarlets: 15 Blair Murray, 14 Ellis Mee, 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Eddie James, 11 Macs Page, 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Dane Blacker, 8 Osian Williams, 7 Dan Davis, 6 Josh Macleod (c), 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Alex Groves, 3 Harri O’Connor, 2 Ryan Elias, 1 Kemsley Mathias
Replacements: 16 John McKee, 17 Sam O’Connor, 18 Gabe Hawley, 19 Will Evans, 20 Tristan Davies, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Joe Hawkins, 23 Johnny Williams
Referee: Adam Jones (WRU)
Assistant Referees: Ben Whitehouse (WRU) and Marcus Caudle (WRU)
TMO: Keith David (WRU)