Bucharesti Wolves v Dragons Match Report
Bucharesti Wolves made a perfect start and put Newport Gwent Dragons under pressure with their simple but effective pick-and-drive approach.
Ionita booted them into a sixth-minute lead and then converted after pack pressure earned an overlap that saw flanker Sean Morrell go over from Razvan Ailenei’s pass. The fly-half converted and Bucharest were good value for their 10-0 lead.
However, the Dragons stayed composed and worked their way into the game with Geraint Rhys Jones booting penalties on 18 and 28 minutes.
And they got their noses in front just before half-time when centre Ashley Smith, who had earlier gone close after a lively break involving wing Tom Prydie, flanker Nic Cudd and scrum-half Richie Rees, got over the line.
The Dragons hammered away at the line and the Wolves stood firm before the ball was worked right for fly-half Jason Tovey to pick up well off his toes and put Smith over with Jones adding an excellent conversion for 13-10.
And they were in total command with half an hour left thanks to a pair of driving lineout tries by hooker Rhys Thomas and flanker James Thomas that earned a 23-10 lead.
The bonus point arrived on the hour when fly-half Jason Tovey intercepted and raced into the home 22.
Referee Giuseppe Vivarini was playing advantage for a deliberate knock on but centre Ross Wardle kept his cool to provide Andrew Coombs with a run-in.
Job done but there was still time for Coombs to stretch over for a second after another patient attack for a hard-earned 37-10 victory.
Bucharesti Wolves Team: Luke Samoa, Robert Neagu, Catalin Dascalu, Florin Ionita, Ionut Botezatu, Florin Vlaicu, Florin Surugiu; Constantin Pristavita, Otar Turashvili, Silviu Vasiliu, Johan van Heerden, Petre Neacsu, Alexandru Mitu, Sean Morrell, Razvan Ailenei.
Newport Gwent Dragons Team: Geraint Rhys Jones, Tom Prydie, Ross Wardle, Ashley Smith, Matthew Pewtner, Jason Tovey, Richie Rees; Brok Harris, T. Rhys Thomas, Dan Way, Cory Hill, Andrew Coombs, James Thomas, Nic Cudd, Lewis Evans (c).
Referee: Giuseppe Vivarini (Italy)
Attendance: 700
