IN the early hours of Saturday morning I was still pondering whether I had been a touch harsh on the Ebbw Vale experiment.

Newport Gwent Dragons had recorded a terrific pre-season win against English champions Northampton at Eugene Cross Park.

I wrote: "Yes, it was a filthy night but anybody with a season ticket for a club in the region, let alone Dragons regulars, could claim a free ticket and just 2,763 headed through the turnstiles to see the likes of George North, Dylan Hartley, Courtney Lawes and Luther Burrell.

"It does raise doubt about whether the Dragons will ever win hearts and minds, although such performances may help."

Perhaps it was just me being glass-half-empty, because some folk on the Argus website and social media thought just under 3,000 was a decent figure given the awful weather.

I was left to think about my words because I hoped it didn't come across as putting down Ebbw Vale RFC, who did themselves proud as hosts.

I always get a terrific welcome at Eugene Cross Park and it was great to see so many familiar faces on a Friday night.

That is a relevant because I know for certain that most of them will not become Newport Gwent Dragons occasionals let alone regulars for games at Rodney Parade.

They already have their routine – Llandovery a week on Saturday, Neath the following week and then a pair of derbies against the Black and Ambers and Cross Keys.

It wasn't just the Dragons team that went 'on tour' to north Gwent as a sizeable chunk of the 2,763 were those that would have headed to Rodney Parade anyway.

Friday's game was played at the home of the Steelmen through necessity while Gwent Police use Rodney Parade for the Nato summit and it will be interesting to hear how many 'newbies' head down to Newport in the coming season.

Because this is professional sport; the Dragons have to make money and that comes from bigger crowds, putting on hospitality, looking after sponsors and attracting new backers.

Every game has to be seen as an opportunity. Even games against smaller English teams in the LV= Cup.

The Ospreys were the only team to take a game 'on the road' in the Anglo-Welsh development competition last season when they used Bridgend's Brewery Field while Munster are the sole member of the Pro12 to have two homes, and Musgrave Park in Cork is having a €3.2million facelift.

The Dragons average attendance in the Pro12 last season was 5,930, of which plenty are freebies.

They need to be concentrating on how they can improve the size of their Rodney Parade backing and I doubt that playing games at Eugene Cross Park, Abertillery Park or other venues will lead to a dramatic increase.