Fiery Dragons storm to win
Winger Will Harries posted a hat-trick of tries to lift Newport Gwent Dragons to a 49-28 Magners League victory over Edinburgh.
By Rachel Griffiths
Last Updated: 18/04/10 7:36pm
Winger Will Harries posted a hat-trick of tries to lift Newport Gwent Dragons to a 49-28 Magners League victory over Edinburgh at Rodney Parade.
The Welsh side crossed the line no less than seven times to keep their slight title chances alive and dent the visitors' play-off hopes.
The lead changed hands four times in the first half before Dragons powered into the break 20-14 ahead.
Scrum-half Wayne Evans secured the first try of the game for the Welshmen after bursting over in the corner, but the hosts' lead did not last for long as Alan MacDonald went over under the posts for Edinburgh.
Phil Godman's conversion fired Edinburgh 7-5 ahead but Dragons centre Ashley Smith then stormed through the middle from 25 metres out to restore the home side's lead, with Evans converting.
Loose-head prop Hugh Gustafson was sin-binned soon after for dropping the scrum on his own line and Edinburgh were awarded a penalty try to claim a 14-12 lead.
James Arlidge kicked Dragons back in front with a penalty and Harries extended that advantage with a try on the stroke of half-time.
Unstoppable
The hosts were unstoppable after the restart, with Arlidge adding another penalty and Harries touching down twice more to complete his triple.
Edinburgh, now 21 points down, gave themselves some hope as Ben Cairns went under the posts, with Godman's conversion narrowing the gap.
But any chance of a comeback was effectively silenced as winger Richard Fussell landed a sixth try and full-back Martyn Thomas added a superb 60-metre effort.
Determined to get something from the match, Edinburgh claimed a consolation bonus point seven minutes from time when hooker Ross Ford grabbed a late try.
