THE Dragons endured a 29-17 loss to the Cheetahs in their final Rodney Parade game of the season. Here are five things from the Guinness PRO14 defeat.

1: Miserable streak

The Dragons haven’t won in the league since September and have managed just two PRO14 triumphs all season, against Connacht and the Southern Kings in Newport.

They head to Italy to face Benetton and Zebre then finish against the Scarlets at Judgement Day.

It looks likely that the Dragons will set a new record in 2017/18 by ‘beating’ their lowest tally of four league triumphs in a season.

The streak has sapped them of confidence and they have been far too easy to score against with their last three losses – Edinburgh in Ebbw Vale, the Kings in Port Elizabeth and the Cheetahs in Newport – seeing their conquerors bagging a five-point haul.

The Dragons need to somehow find some steel in the final three rounds or a grim campaign could get grimmer.

2: Costly middle minutes

The game with the Cheetahs swung on a spell either side of half-time.

The Dragons had the chance to stretch their 10-3 lead approaching the break only for their driving lineout to be defended by the South Africans. With hindsight, three points either from a penalty or drop goal would have been a morale-booster.

It got worse with a nightmare start to the second half with Sarel Pretorius misjudging the kick-off and then Hallam Amos failing to find touch.

The Cheetahs were under the posts after 21 seconds and they didn’t look back in the second half.

With the rain lashing down, the Dragons needed their guests to be chasing the game.

3: Promising Robson

The Dragons have given plenty of prospects a chance this season with flanker Aaron Wainwright the pick of the bunch.

Fly-half Arwel Robson has been denied the opportunity to stake a claim for the 10 jersey by a hip injury then a turned ankle but he has shown glimpses.

The playmaker is highly-regarded by Newport RFC after some lively performances in the Premiership and he looks a talent with a neat turn of pace, an eye for a break and a nice right boot.

Robson isn’t ready to be the Dragons first-choice fly-half yet but has something about him. Fingers crossed he can enjoy a strong finish to the season against Benetton, Zebre and the Scarlets.

4: Red zone failures

The Cheetahs were good value for the win but the Dragons can still look back on a glut of missed chances.

The hosts had plenty of opportunities to put the squeeze on the South Africans only to turn the ball over inside the 22.

The Dragons are frustratingly easy to score against at the moment while they have been too profligate in attack. That is a nightmare combination.

Worryingly they seem to have been worked out at the driving lineout as well.

5: Sad farewell

At one stage it looked like Sarel Pretorius, who has been a magnificent recruit, would sign off at Rodney Parade with a victory against his former side.

Sadly the livewire scrum-half had an early try correctly chalked off and then the game got away from the Dragons.

Pretorius has been a magnificent pro since heading for Wales from South Africa and deserved better than this miserable end to his three years in Newport.

The scrum-half got a rousing reception when he was replaced in the second half and fingers crossed we will be able to welcome him back warmly when the Southern Kings visit in years to come.