THE home of the Gwent Dragons was alive with support for Wales during the team’s Rugby World Cup semi- final clash with France on this morning.

More than 50 fans swapped home for the big screen at Rodney Parade’s club house in Newport.

Supporters put their hopes for the Dragons’ 2.30pm fixture against Bath to one side and shouted, screamed – and even cried – for their country instead.

But their hopes were dashed when Lee Halfpenny’s eleventh hour kick hit the bar and Wales’ World Cup dreams were over.

As such viewers at Rodney Parade missed out on Newport grandmother Elizabeth Hughes dancing on the tables - a vow she made should Wales win while hopes were still high during half time.

Mrs Hughes, 58, watched the match with fellow city residents Wendy John,  59, and Jackie Edwards, 65.

“I just thought there would be a great atmosphere coming down here - it’s been like Christmas time this past week, everybody’s smiling and everybody’s been happy,” she said.

“So I think whatever happens today, it’s just been great that Wales got this far,” she added.

But joy turned to sadness when Wales crashed out of the tournament just one point behind their rivals, leaving her in tears at the final result.

“What a team, they were one man down but we are still proud of them,” she added.

Meanwhile Amanda Cullen, from Beechwood, Newport was taking her children Chloe, 13, and Harry, 11, into the city centre following the match.

The 40-year-old had planned to stay at the club, where she is a season ticket holder, for the duration until the Dragons game but was off to cheer up Harry in particular.

Harry, who plays for Pill Harriers, blamed the referee for the result and is hoping for a better outcome when Pill play in the Land Rover Premiership Cup in London next weekend instead.  “We are gutted, totally gutted,” Ms Cullen said. “They did us proud but we didn’t deserve to lose – they’ve been the team of the tournament, they’ve been outstanding.”