NEWPORT Gwent Dragons thwarted a long-standing Heineken Cup bogey when they got this season’s European campaign off to a winning start by beating Glasgow at Rodney Parade on Saturday.

Not since the first season of regional rugby five years ago had they won their opening Heineken Cup tie, but they not only ended that hoodoo, they also established a four-match winning streak for the first time for nearly two years.

It gets tougher from here on in with five away matches in a row against some of the best teams in England, Ireland and France, but for the moment they will celebrate a job well done as they completed a commendable turnaround to their season after losing their first three matches.

It nearly didn’t happen for they went ten points down after five minutes when Samoan winger Lome Fa’atau intercepted inside the Glasgow 22 and streaked away for a try converted by Colin Gregor, who also kicked a penalty.

But the Dragons showed terrific commitment and not a little bravery as they twice fought back to turn that 10-0 deficit into a 14-10 lead, and again when the Scots recovered to level at 17-17.

For Dragons locks Luke Charteris and Adam Jones, who continue to carry a heavy burden, were both unable to train during the week because of shoulder and foot injuries respectively.

It was kept a closely guarded secret, just as Glasgow hushed up the absence of Dan Parks, who couldn’t overcome a knee injury.

The only clue to the discomfort of the Dragons pair, who both produced storming performances, came at the start of the second half when Charteris suddenly went down on one knee away from the ball, and before the medics could get to him was violently sick.

Yet not only did he carry on, explaining that the painkillers he had taken made him ill, he produced a man-of-the-match performance with a commanding display in the line-out and some effective ball-carrying. Jones, too, put himself about as the Dragons fought for and established superiority.

They should really have won by more as they dominated for lengthy periods, but couldn’t quite escape the dangerously marauding Scots, even though they made it difficult for themselves with that early interception giveaway.

But thay did make Glasgow pay when flanker Kelly Brown was yellow-carded for killing the ball five minutes before the interval, for in the period he was off they scored 11 points.

James Arlidge, a tactically aware outside-half, had already landed two penalties, but then came the first of wing Gareth Wyatt’s two tries as the New Zealand-born Japanese international slipped a short pass to centre Marc Stcherbina, Colin Charvis made a sharp thrust and the ball was recycled out to Wyatt, who slid over unopposed.

Arlidge slotted a dropped goal with the last kick of the half and quickly added another penalty two minutes after the interval.

But just to prove they were not going to roll over Glasgow drew level when centre Max Evans sidestepped over for Gregor, who had replaced Parks, to convert.

Then came another decisive spell for the Dragons when Wyatt nabbed his second try after a charge by the excellent Joe Bearman and a switch by Arlidge followed six minutes later when Charvis, again proving his huge value to the team, piled over for a try after Charteris won a line-out.

But Glasgow came again when captain and lock Alastair Kellock crossed for their third try to put them in double bonus-point territory until Arlidge kicked an all-important second drop goal to ensure the victory, the four points and take his own points haul to 17.

The Dragons were disappointed not to earn a bonus-point victory butthere were so many pluses, like the performances of the two locks, the form of props Rhys Thomas and Adam Black, the leadership of Tom Willis, the presence of Charvis, the outstanding Joe Bearman and the promise of Lewis Evans up front.

And behind Rory Sidey continues to make a big impression in the centre, while Arlidge shows he is an all-round footballer and Phil Dollman is now looking pretty much assured at full back.

The Dragons have got a big week ahead of them now as they prepare to face Guinness Premiership leaders Bath at the Recreation Ground, but they can at least make the short trip with some confidence.

Newport Gwent Dragons: P Dollman, G Wyatt, R Sidey, M Stcherbina, R Fussell, J Arlidge, W Evans, A Black (A Coundley 76), T Willis (captain), R Thomas, A Jones, L Charteris (A Hall 70), J Bearman, L Evans (G Webb 73), C Charvis.

Scorers: Tries – G Wyatt (2), C Charvis; conversion – J Arlidge; penalties – Arlidge (3); dropped goals – Arlidge (2).

Glasgow: B Stortoni, L Fa’atau, M Evans, G Morrison (A Henderson 73), H O’Hare, C Gregor, M McMillan (R Jackson 57), J Va’a (K Tkachuk 57), D Hall, M Low (E Kalman 40), O Papepoi (T Barker 40), A Kellock (captain), K Brown (S Swindall 63), J Beattie, J Barclay (R Vernon 64).

Scorers: Tries – L Fa’atau, M Evans, A Kellock; conversions – C Gregor (2); penalty – Gregor.

Referee: Romain Poite (France).

Attendance: 5,238.

Argus Star man: Luke Charteris.