Dragons lose derby thriller against arch rivals

4:30pm Wednesday 26th December 2012 in Sport Photograph of the Author By Iwan Davies

Cardiff Blues 12 Newport Gwent Dragons 10

NEWPORT Gwent Dragons were desperately unlucky to lose today’s derby clash with fierce rivals Cardiff Blues which leaves next season’s Heineken Cup qualification hopes in tatters for the Gwent region.

The visitors were by far the better side at Cardiff Arms Park in a fiercely contested match played in a mud bath, the conditions atrocious after heavy rain.

The Dragons dominated the first half but trailed 9-0 at the interval after Blues outside half Rhys Patchell slotted over three penalties.

The Gwent region had the better of the second 40 but started to convert pressure into points, fine centre Andy Tuilagi’s try converted by outside half Dan Evans.

Replacement stand off Lewis Robling kicked a penalty to put the Dragons 10-9 up but that lead was short lived because Patchell’s fourth successful shot at goal nosed them ahead.

Superbly led by blindside flanker Lewis Evans, ably supported by excellent number eight Toby Faletau, the Dragons hammered away at the Blues' try-line but to no avail.

A late drop goal attempt by Robling from short range went agonisingly wide for the Dragons and they were left to rue what might have been.

The Blues were delighted with their hard-fought win which sees them complete a league double over Darren Edwards’ men after their 16-5 triumph at Rodney Parade in September.

Comments(9)

casto says...
5:08pm Wed 26 Dec 12

the sooner these 2 teams,along with the other 2 are shown the door the better.why dont we just form a wales 15 and enter the competitions.then we might win something?..

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portforever says...
5:33pm Wed 26 Dec 12

how we lost that mud bath ,i dont know
maybe the subs had a bit to do with it and that missed drop goal was arful. again some poor kicking by a few players..not a great advert for the game in wales,,

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Robert Shillabeer says...
5:48pm Wed 26 Dec 12

Two misses in the first half from very kick able positions even with the wind against us, the drop goal attempt with the wind behind was an awful miss, no doubt the kicking cost us the game with the Blues never looking like scoring a try, definitely a win lost due to poor place kicking.

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foxy3rd says...
6:00pm Wed 26 Dec 12

The dragons played and deserved better especially the forwards.S?ds law that the weather would improve for Cardiff.Dragons put on early heavy pressure and fail to score.Deja vu! Opponents put on infrequent pressure but make THEIR kicks.Deja vu! Dragons make late penalty to lead then immediately give away penalty to gift lead to opponents.Deja vu!Lots of late pressure drop attempt missed,game to opponents.Deja vu! Disappointment. Deja vu!

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Doberman1 says...
6:10pm Wed 26 Dec 12

Another loss, no surprise really. In what was a shocking advert for the game (questionable whether the game should have been called off?) we lose to a side who by anyone else's standards were shocking. Can't fault the effort from the boys today but the drop goal attempt sums it up for us, simply not good enough.
Thought the ref did OK....eh Robert?
Roll on NYE when whatever the result / performance at least we can bid farewell to a truly forgettable year of NGD rugby!
Edwards Out.

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portforever says...
6:47pm Wed 26 Dec 12

feel bad for the players as they gave there all, but bottom like is they are not good enough, dont think getting rid of the coaches would make a long term gain, its hard to see how they can go forward at this level, if there are just 3 regions in the future its the dragons who will miss out, and its hard to argue with it as we have been the worst region for years now..

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Robert Shillabeer says...
8:09pm Wed 26 Dec 12

Doberman1 wrote:
Another loss, no surprise really. In what was a shocking advert for the game (questionable whether the game should have been called off?) we lose to a side who by anyone else's standards were shocking. Can't fault the effort from the boys today but the drop goal attempt sums it up for us, simply not good enough.
Thought the ref did OK....eh Robert?
Roll on NYE when whatever the result / performance at least we can bid farewell to a truly forgettable year of NGD rugby!
Edwards Out.
The ref did OK, didn't set the game on fire, some dodgy decision but overall taking the conditions into account, Ok. Your right the game should have been called off, but it wasn't and we blew it with two bad penalty misses from easy positions and what some would call a drop goal chance when a try was possible on the cards. Good game in awful conditions. Next game would be brilliant if we could win it, bottle the passion from today ad we could just cause an upset.

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East Newport Dave says...
8:29pm Wed 26 Dec 12

Very disappointing. We lacked the composure of a good, experienced decision maker at outside half.

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Robert Shillabeer says...
4:46pm Fri 28 Dec 12

The Cardiff v Pontypridd game is off due to the ground being unplayable, what a suprise, was unfit before the Dragons game as well but it was. Regional cliffhanger.

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