THE Dragons signed off for the season at a soggy Rodney Parade with a result to sum up their horror campaign after being beaten 29-17 by the Cheetahs.

The hope was that Bernard Jackman’s side would end their Guinness PRO14 drought by enjoying a league win for the first time since September.

That looked a possibility when they led 10-3 at half-time thanks to a try by wing Ashton Hewitt and five points from the boot of promising fly-half Arwel Robson.

However, they lost their way after the break for their play-off chasing guests to strengthen their grip on third place in Conference A, much to the frustration of Cardiff Blues.

Four second-half tries ensured that it was the Cheetahs celebrating as they went to dry off from the Newport rain. Their first European campaign looks likely to end in a title challenge.

It was a frustrating night in a frustrating season; the slippery, miserable conditions should have suited the Welsh side but instead it was the South African power that told.

They looked sharper – and crucially more confident.

The Dragons had their chances in a game that was pretty even but they failed to take enough of their chances inside the Cheetahs 22.

Jackman’s men were better than they were in defeat to Southern Kings last time out – could they be worse? – but didn’t possess enough quality to add to their pitiful tally of two league wins.

That meant more woe for the long-suffering home support who will expect – nay, demand – much better when they return to their familiar Rodney Parade viewing spots in September.

If results take an upturn then more will join them in the stands and terraces because the grimness of the season resulted in a meagre crowd for the Newport final, punters perhaps saving their pennies after being told so frequently that it’s all about 2018/19.

It looked like those that had ventured out could be treated to a rare win when the Dragons made a superb start with Sarel Pretorius showing what they will miss next season with a trademark snipe over after a lovely break by Arwel Robson into the 22… only for the Kings-bound scrum-half to be denied by the TMO.

The former Cheetahs half-back went over but only thanks to the help of tighthead Lloyd Fairbrother, who had taken out the cover at a ruck.

However, there was no denying the hosts in the 13th minute when the ball was worked down the left for Hallam Amos, who had been given plenty of work to do by full-back Zane Kirchner, to show power and then produce an inch-perfect offload to put fellow winger Ashton Hewitt over.

Robson’s conversion made it 7-0 only for Cheetahs centre to reduce the deficit with a lovely penalty strike in the 20th minute.

Back came the Dragons and their young fly-half, who had made a very encouraging start, salvaged an attack that had lost its way with a peach of a drop goal in the 29th minute for 10-3.

It was a scrappy encounter with neither side able to build up a head of steam as half-time approached.

However, penalties enabled the Dragons to put the squeeze on through their well-drilled driving lineout from the final play of the half.

Alas, the visitors stood firm and forced a knock-on (perhaps a second drop goal would have been wise?), leaving Jackman’s men to settle for a 10-3 advantage at the break.

It was a lead that they didn’t have for long with Pretorius misjudging the kick-off and Amos’ rushed clearance leading to a counter-attack opportunity.

Full-back Clayton Blommetjies raced through a gaping hole and then put winger Sibahle Maxwane under the posts for a try after 21 seconds that Marais converted.

It could have been even worse for the sleeping Dragons – another searing break straight from the restart nearly saw Tian Meyer scampering clear but the scrum-half shelled the pass.

The rain was bucketing down but the Cheetahs were unfazed in their first season in European rugby and their power runners did the damage to earn the lead in the 50th minute.

They hammered away at the line before the rather more nifty fly-half Fred Zeilinga went through Wales hooker Elliot Dee’s tackle to slide over, Marais making it 17-10.

The Dragons had chances for a swift response only to twice lose control of the slippery ball inside the 22.

And their desperation to close the gap instead led to it increasing with Robson’s attempting kick through going straight to Marais, whose agricultural thump downfield led to Maxwane’s second and a lead of 22-10.

The Dragons had a sniff when Dee slid over for a converted try with nine minutes left only for the Cheetahs to respond through the excellent Blommetjies, who spotted a gap and raced over for a try that Zeilinga converted.

The hosts finished on the front foot but saw a glut of chances slip away, summing up their night and their season.

Dragons: Z Kirchner, A Hewitt, S Beard, C Edwards (A Warren 74), H Amos, A Robson, S Pretorius (D Babos 67), S Hobbs (G Ellis 53), E Dee, L Fairbrother (D Suter 62), J Davies (M Williams 62), C Hill (captain), H Keddie, A Wainwright (T Basham 67), L Evans.

Scorers: tries – A Hewitt, E Dee; conversions – A Robson (2); drop goal – A Robson

Cheetahs: C Blommetjies (AJ Coetzen 76), W Small-Smith, F Venter(captain), N Marais, S Maxano, F Zeilinga, T Meyer, O Nche (E De Jager 76), T van Jaarsveld (J du Toit 70), J Coetzee (T Botha 76), J Basson, R Hugo (C Wegner 62), P Schoeman, O Mohoje, U Cassiem (H Venter 64).

Scorers: tries – S Maxwane (2), F Zeilinga, C Blommetjies; conversions – N Marais (2), F Zeilinga; penalty – N Marais

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales) Attendance: 4,406