Cardiff Blues v Dragons Match Report
The Men of Gwent have only beaten the Blues just once before at CAP when tries by Jason Forster, Hal Luscombe and Sione Tu'ipulotu secured the spoils in the first year of regional rugby.
Blues fly half Gareth Davies saw an early penalty attempt slip wide right, after Blues dominated the game's first scrum. The Dragons then missed their chance to add points to the board as Jason Tovey missed a snap drop goal attempt. It was Prydie who eventually put the Dragons ahead as they secured a penalty for not releasing.
It was a driving lineout from the Dragons, which secured the first try of the day; Elliot Dee was the man underneath the maul after replacing T. Rhys Thomas pre-match because of a groin niggle.
Tom Prydie added the extras to make it 10-0 after 30 minutes on the click. The full back knocked over another penalty only for Gareth Davies to respond in the first half to make it 13-3.
Half Time: Cardiff Blues 3 – Newport Gwent Dragons 13
Just 6 minutes into the second half the Dragons were awarded a penalty try after the Blues stopped a driving lineout illegally on the line.
Once again the International converted the try extending the Dragons lead to 20-3.
The hosts responded with a try of their own as Jarrad Hoeata went over for a close range try; replacement Anscombe converted with quarter of an hour left.
After intense pressure from the Blues they broke through the Dragons defence as replacement scrum half Tavis Knoyle darted across the try line.
The fly half added the extras only for Dragons full back Prydie to respond with three much-needed points; 23-17 with five minutes remaining.
With just two minutes left on the clock the Dragons thought that replacement Dorian Jones had broke clear, only for the referee to make a last minute TMO call which resulted in the try not being given because of a knock-on.
The time ran down on the clock and the final whistle was blown for the Dragons to take a much-deserved win away from the Capital city.
Final Score: Cardiff Blues 17 - Newport Gwent Dragons 23
Cardiff Blues Team
Joaquin Tuculet, Alex Cuthbert, Cory Allen, Gavin Evans, Lucas Amorosino, Gareth Davies, Lewis Jones; Sam Hobbs, Matthew Rees ©, Adam Jones, Jarrad Hoeata, Lou Reed, Josh Turnbull, Ellis Jenkins, Josh Navidi.
Newport Gwent Dragons Team
Tom Prydie, Matthew Pewtner, Tyler Morgan, Jack Dixon, Hallam Amos, Jason Tovey, Jonathan Evans; Phil Price, Elliot Dee, Brok Harris, Andrew Coombs, Rynard Landman ©, James Thomas, Nic Cudd, Lewis Evans.
Referee: Leighton Hodges
Attendance: 10,900
Man of the Match: Rynard Landman (Dragons)
