Dragons survive late onslaught to beat Cardiff Blues 25-21 in European Challenge Cup
Last Updated: 04/04/15 3:26pm
A second-half rally allowed Newport Gwent Dragons to get the better of Welsh rivals Cardiff Blues and reach the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup with a 25-21 victory.
Tries from Hallum Amos and Nic Cudd and a penalty try were enough to see the home side over the line at Rodney Parade, despite late pressure from the Blues.
An early try from scrum-half Lloyd Williams had given the visitors the lead and, when Gareth Anscombe went over in the 26th minute, they looked comfortable with a 14-3 advantage in a game in which mistakes abounded.
However, the Men of Gwent hit back with tries either side of the break, Amos scoring the first when he broke through the Blues' defence to touch down and reduce the deficit to four points at half-time.
Within five minutes of the restart the Dragons were in front, Cudd bundling over after some patient build-up play, although the conversion was missed meaning the game was finely poised at 15-14.
The decisive moment came soon afterwards as Anscombe’s kick was charged down, and a Dragons try seemed inevitable before Williams' illegal intervention led to the award of a penalty try and a yellow card for the No 9.
Tom Prydie converted to extend the advantage but missed a presentable opportunity soon afterwards as the hosts earned a penalty after successfully charging down another Anscombe kick.
Dorian Jones took over the kicking duties and he added to the Dragons' lead with 13 minutes remaining before the introduction of Adam Jones signalled the start of a Blues onslaught.
With time running out, a number of kicking opportunities were turned down in favour of going to the corner in search of a try and, after camping out in the Dragons' 22 for well over five minutes, Cardiff were rewarded.
Good work in the scrum allowed Josh Navidi to collect the ball just shy of the line and dive over to make it 25-21 set up a grandstand finale.
The Blues came forward again, but the Dragons' defence held firm to see out the win and secure a place in the last four, although their victory was marred by a bad leg injury suffered by Andrew Coombs.
