Edinburgh v Newport Gwent Dragons Match Report
After two encouraging performances against Sale Sharks and Castres in the European Rugby Challenge Cup, the Dragons looked to improve on their Pro12 campaign this evening only to be given four yellow cards and be reduced to 13 men at one time.
It was Edinburgh’s Sam Hidalgo-Clyne who opened up the scoring with a penalty kick, with Dorian Jones evening the scores after 15 minutes on the clock.
However almost immediately afterwards it was WP Nel from the opposition who was over the whitewash with their first try of the evening – Hidalgo-Clyne converting.
Another penalty from the Scottish scrum-half, and Edinburgh were 10-3 up.
The opposition moved further into the lead with a penalty kick but a second penalty kick from Jones saw the Dragons trail 13-6.
Half Time: Edinburgh 13 – Newport Gwent Dragons 6
The second half saw the Dragons come out of the starting blocks well, however it didn’t last long as the Edinburgh attack saw them come close to scoring another try. It was WP Nel who appeared to go over for the second try of the evening however Marius Mitrea wasn’t too sure and went to the TMO. After a long discussion the try wasn’t given because of double movement and the score remained 13-6.
The Dragons went on the attack once again, with a lovely break from fly-half Jones but Boris Stankovich was penalised at the scrum and was awarded a yellow card. But when replacement Phil Price came on to take Stankovich’s place he too was sin-binned, resulting in uncontested scrums.
With just 13 men on the pitch the Dragons struggled to defend the line, and Edinburgh stormed over the try line once again. With Hidalgo-Clyne converting the referee checked for a dangerous tackle by Dorian Jones whom was awarded a yellow card.
Another yellow followed for fanker Nic Cudd and Edinburgh added their third from Tom Brown and fourth through centre Matt Scott.
With a full team it was Nic Cudd went over at the death and Jones converted.
Full Time: Edinburgh 32 – Newport Gwent Dragons 13
