BELOW strength Newport Gwent Dragons suffered their eighth defeat in nine games when Wales outside half Stephen Jones booted them to defeat in the final Magners League Welsh holiday derby at Parc y Scarlets on New Year’s Day.

The Dragons led 17-10 at the interval and looked in control after wing Richard Fussell romped over for two tries in another thriller.

But once captain Tom Willis went off after 56 minutes the Dragons went off the boil and the Scarlets benefited from a string of penalties as they conceded 19 unanswered points.

Before that the maligned Dragons backs took the honours with two-try Richard Fussell, Jason Tovey and Rory Sidey impressing. But they couldn’t hold it together and they conceded the double to their west Wales rivals despite a late rally which earned them a losing bonus point.

The Dragons, missing Joe Bearman, Luke Charteris and Marc Stcherbina, also had the satisfaction of scoring three tries to two only to fall foul of the referee. Jones benefited with 19 points while Shaun Connor scored 14 points for the Dragons.

The game went ahead despite the freezing weather conditions only because of the undersoil heating at the impressive new stadium, though it was over half empty as many people decided to stay in the comfort of their living rooms watching it on television.

The recalled Jamie Ringer quickly nailed Jones from a high kick by scrum half Wayne Evans, then Ashley Smith kicked deep into the Scarlets 22 and when Jones failed to clear his lines Sidey ran strongly, but Connor couldn’t take his high pass.

Lovely skills from Regan King and a thrustful run by Morgan Stoddart took the position right away from the Dragons and Fussell had to look sharp back in his own 22. King struck again, this time finishing it off as he ran through some feeble Dragons tackling, Lewis Evans and Wayne Evans among those missing him as he swept over majestically for a try which Jones converted.

Jones stretched the lead to ten points in as many minutes when he kicked a simple penalty after Rhys Thomas denied scrum half Martin Roberts a try with a desperate lunge though it was to no avail when the backs went offside to give the penalty away.

The Dragons defence was stretched again by a Mark Jones run and flanker Jonathan Edwards crossing only to be recalled for a knock on by Jonathan Davies.

But the Dragons suddenly manufactured a super try of their own when they attacked from halfway, Connor threw out a wide pass to Smith who found full back Jason Tovey up in support and the full back sent Fussell dashing for the line and though ankle tapped his momentum took him over the line for his fifth try of the season and his second in a row. Connor converted in style from the touchline.

Fussell threatened again with another weaving run as the Dragons came right back into it, then Sidey tried to break through and Nigel Hall got his hands on the ball in a decent attack, but Tovey dropped a relatively simple ball to bring pressure to a halt - though not for long as the Dragons scored their second try to turn the game upside down. Sidey showed he was not going to be overshadowed by King as he made a strong run in midfield, creating enough space for the supporting Jamie Ringer to send Fussell in again, Connor repeating his first effort by converting from the touchline. The Dragons had now assumed control and they almost scored again when Colin Charvis went for the line only to be held up by opposite number Simon Easterby and barged into touch a yard out.

Then Rhys Thomas was within a whisker of making the line as well, though the referee should have awarded the Dragons a penalty for blatant offside just before that.

But justice was done when he Dragons did get a penalty for piling over the top and Connor put the kick over to stretch their lead to 17-10 at the interval.

Connor should have made it 20 points within a minute of the resumption, but having kicked two conversions from the touchline he missed a 40 yard penalty shot from in front.

Then the outside half took his eyes off the ball and dropped it to give the Scarlets the platform to mount a strong offensive which ended with Jones kicking an easy penalty.

The Dragons suffered a blow when skipper Willis limped off after 56 minutes which was the signal for heavy home pressure as prop Phil John bullocked over for a try to regain the lead.

Jones converted and then added three penalties as referee James Jones began to penalise the Dragons out of existence.

But they fought back with great spirit and launched a series of attacks, Fussell going close ton his hat-trick before Connor made it to the line, (the TMO ruling in his favour). He also converted.

The Dragons missed a final chance when replacement hooker Steve Jones overthrew a line-out near the Scarlets line.

Scarlets: M Stoddart (R Priestland 75), G Morris (D Daniel 61), R King, J Davies, M Jones, S Jones, M Roberts, P John, M Rees, D Manu, D Day, S Maling, S Easterby (captain), D Lyons, J Edwards (D Jones 75).

Scorers -- tries: R King, P John; conversions: S Jones (2); penalties: Jones (5). Newport Gwent Dragons: J Tovey, G Wyatt, R Sidey (P Dollman 80), A Smith, R Fussell, S Connor, W Evans (T Isaacs 72), N Hall (A Black 56), T Willis, captain (S Jones 56), R Thomas, A Jones, H MacDonald, J Ringer (D Lydiate 70), L Evans, C Charvis.

Scorers -- tries: R Fussell (2), S Connor; conversions: S Connor (3); penalty: Connor.

Referee: James Jones (WRU).

Attendance: 7,050.