Dragons v Cardiff Blues Match Report

Despite an early lead for the Newport Gwent Dragons and a close scoring match, the Welsh derby saw the visitors Cardiff Blues take the spoils in the final match of the Guinness PRO12 2016/17 season.

The Men of Gwent failed to steal the win in the dying minutes in front of a sell-out crowd (5,167) at the Constructaquote Stadium, Caerphilly.

It was fullback Carl Meyer who flew over for the first try of the evening thanks to some great teamwork, and a lovely cross kick from Angus O’Brien, to secure the try in the corner. The tricky conversion was missed by O’Brien but he soon added a penalty kick to see the Dragons lead 8-0 after 8 minutes.

Following the penalty kick, both teams attempted to gain ground and it was the visitors who managed to chalk the next try on the scoreboard. Fullback Matthew Morgan was the try scorer with fly-half Gareth Anscombe adding the conversion. With a one-point gap it was the Dragons who struck next through the boot of O’Brien, making it 11-7.

However, the Dragons were unable to retain their early lead as Willis Halaholo crossed for Cardiff Blues and Anscombe added the extras.

Half Time: Newport Gwent Dragons 11 – Cardiff Blues 14

It was the visitors who struck first, ten minutes into the second half as fly-half Anscombe kicked a penalty kick, and with Thomas Rhys Thomas seeing red for an infringement another penalty was slotted over by Anscombe to push Cardiff Blues further into the lead 20-11. Despite this the Dragons’ fullback Carl Meyer slotted over two fantastic long range kicks to narrow the gap to 17-20. But these kicks were followed by two penalties from Anscombe, with just a few minutes left on the clock.

The Dragons struck late with a beautifully worked try with Sam Beard dotting down and Angus O’Brien kicking a drop goal conversion to get back for the restart. However it wasn’t meant to be with the ball going dead and the game ending soon after.

Full Time: Newport Gwent Dragons 24 – Cardiff Blues 26

Attendance: 5,167 (Sell-Out)

Referee: Ian Davies

Timeline:

1' Try scored by Carl Meyer (5-0)

8' Penalty kicked by Angus O'Brien (8-0)

16' Try scored by Matthew Morgan (8-5)

17' Conversion kicked by Gareth Anscombe (8-7)

20' Penalty kicked by Angus O'Brien (11-7)

29' Try scored by Willis Halaholo (11-12)

30' Conversion kicked by Gareth Anscombe (11-14)

Half Time: Newport Gwent Dragons 11 - Cardiff Blues 14