In a seven-try thriller at Rodney Parade it was the reigning League champions Ulster who walked off with the spoils winning a close encounter 32-25.
Aled Brew crossed for a brace in The Dragons opening home Magners League clash watched by a crowd of over 5,000 while No.8 Nic Fitisemanu also scored for the home side.
Fitisemanu suffered a nasty injury in the second half when he clashed heads with Paddy Wallace and had to leave the field on a stretcher. Fitisemanu was taken to hospital and will undergo a scan to reveal the full extent of his injury.
The Dragons opened the scoring with Fitisemanu shrugging off the tackles of Ulster to score inside four minutes with Ceri Sweeney adding the conversion. Ulster replied with an Andrew Maxwell converted try just two minutes later and David Humphreys slotted over a penalty.
The Dragons regained the lead when Aled Brew scored before Ulster snatched back the lead with Bryn Cunningham getting on the score sheet. The Dragons levelled the scoring thanks to a Sweeney penalty before Brew's second try gave them the half time lead 22-17.
In the second half Ulster scored two unanswered tries and Humphries added a penalty with The Dragons getting a sole penalty.
The Dragons now have just three days to re-group before welcoming the Scarlets to Rodney Parade on Tuesday 12th September.
