Brave Dragons so close to a famous win but are denied at the death – Bayonne 25 Newport Gwent Dragons 22 (From South Wales Argus)

Good display from a young team pity that Will Harries is such a lightweight there's not a lot to his game.

mighty effort, shame about the missed kicks, but it just had to be phillips didnt it.

The biggest positive for me was how the game changed after Bayonne rolled on a couple of monsters up front. The Dragons went from dominating to mullered from that point. It's clearly shows the difference a few key individuals can really make. If they recruit well, next season could see a different Dragons side altogether. Philips earned his corn tonight for sure. Steff played well at times but I think he cost us the game too by trying to go to ground isolated after being charged down. They can still be pleased with that effort and performance though.

We need an experienced 10 who can control the game , we missed touch from an easy kick which i think cost us the game, pack vast improvement even though their second team , going in right direction but quality 10 needed to control what ball we do win!

I think we lost the game in the first half, we had the opportunity to build a sustantial lead against a clearly second string outfit and spent most of the half kicking the ball away.

You only had to look at the bench to see what was going to happen in the last twenty minutes, but if we had had a game plan in the first half we would have had a lead we could defend.

There are times when you can congratulate the loser on a good effort, not so this time I'm afraid and all because there was no plan apart from "Try something"

Euwan Usami wrote:
The biggest positive for me was how the game changed after Bayonne rolled on a couple of monsters up front. The Dragons went from dominating to mullered from that point. It's clearly shows the difference a few key individuals can really make. If they recruit well, next season could see a different Dragons side altogether. Philips earned his corn tonight for sure. Steff played well at times but I think he cost us the game too by trying to go to ground isolated after being charged down. They can still be pleased with that effort and performance though.

Very good performance. There was one case in the last few minutes that put the Dragons on th back foot when the ref missed. Blatant hanging on to the ball instead of releasing it as per the games laws. Everyone saw it except the ref. that cost us the game. The match officials get somewhere near £100k for each match including all costs of course and they make critical errors like that. On a better vain the Dragons stood up and payed well tonight.

Robert Shillabeer wrote:

Euwan Usami wrote:
The biggest positive for me was how the game changed after Bayonne rolled on a couple of monsters up front. The Dragons went from dominating to mullered from that point. It's clearly shows the difference a few key individuals can really make. If they recruit well, next season could see a different Dragons side altogether. Philips earned his corn tonight for sure. Steff played well at times but I think he cost us the game too by trying to go to ground isolated after being charged down. They can still be pleased with that effort and performance though.

Very good performance. There was one case in the last few minutes that put the Dragons on th back foot when the ref missed. Blatant hanging on to the ball instead of releasing it as per the games laws. Everyone saw it except the ref. that cost us the game. The match officials get somewhere near £100k for each match including all costs of course and they make critical errors like that. On a better vain the Dragons stood up and payed well tonight.

Spelling is sh**t on this site, makes corrections hen they aren't needed as many have found out.

Can't argue with the effort of all the players esp in their 4th game in 14 days in some cases.
Could/should have had the game closed out by half time but missed too many scoring opportunities.
Unfortunately missing some "old" heads in vital positions and this is costing us too many games.
BUT.....coaching issues again....remember the O's match and the charge down kick/try.
What happened last night?
Defensive set piece near our line, ball won GOOD, Lewis drives it forward 10 metres GOOD, ball set up for s/h GOOD, passed to WILL HARRIES ?????? BAD, poor/weak kick misses touch pressure back on leading to winning try VERY BAD !
Remind you of the O's game?
I'm sorry but I said it after that game poor coaching is allowing us to make the same mistakes over and over again....didn't think my words would be proved to be true so soon.
Added to the mistake from a restart that led to their first try, these are coaching issues that neeed to be addressed.
But what a performance by the "worst" region and what another massive show by the captain..... surely he is worthy of a 6 N squad place! Oh forgot, he's a Dragon!
But

Well done Dragons good effort...........but we would not have lost in Charvis's day ! where is he is he available to tke over from dean ryan beale and the little fella et al

Good performance by the whole team, yes there were a few mistakes but I disagree with those of you that single out 1 or 2 people!! Steff going down on the ball didn't cost us the game as they failed to score from it!! You could go through the whole game saying "what if" (the kicks at goal went over or we didn't concede so many penalties in our own half) but you seem to go through every game just picking out 1 or 2 and slating them. This game it's Will & Steff but I suppose your giving someone else a rest.
I do agree that some of our young players are not being developed properly and their confidence is getting knocked but I suppose that's old news.
Well Done boys just unlucky at the end

Great first 50 mins. Why did we not make changes to the front row in response to their changes. Why on earth was Steffan told to kick all possesion away, what was that all about, they were there for the taking. Lewis was great, real example to the team, but please, please pick a 7 and play him at 6 where he does his best work.

Strikes me that the coaching team do not have any confidance in their charges.

Referee was very fair, it was not him that made the mistakes. If refs made as many mistakes as the players and coaches I could understand the complaints.

Mike Poole is going to seriously hurt himself, he must be coached to tackle properly. He appears to know no fear, but there are lot of very big strong guys out there and I just feel he is going to damage himself. Going into tackles with his 100% gunho attitude is great but he must learn technique.

great effort from the dragons, bit of a sucker punch at the end, we all know phillips loves a tap and go , maybe someone should of been aware of it, but we did well cant fault the guts and effort

Gwent rugby wrote:
Good performance by the whole team, yes there were a few mistakes but I disagree with those of you that single out 1 or 2 people!! Steff going down on the ball didn't cost us the game as they failed to score from it!! You could go through the whole game saying "what if" (the kicks at goal went over or we didn't concede so many penalties in our own half) but you seem to go through every game just picking out 1 or 2 and slating them. This game it's Will & Steff but I suppose your giving someone else a rest.
I do agree that some of our young players are not being developed properly and their confidence is getting knocked but I suppose that's old news.
Well Done boys just unlucky at the end

At last someone who says it straight, it's a team game and picking out one or wo payers is wrong, it kills their self belief and does no one any good. Keep posting perhaps the constant knockers will change or disappear.

the dork wrote:
Well done Dragons good effort...........but we would not have lost in Charvis's day ! where is he is he available to tke over from dean ryan beale and the little fella et al

Chavis is paying golf down in Swansea.

Gwent rugby wrote:
Good performance by the whole team, yes there were a few mistakes but I disagree with those of you that single out 1 or 2 people!! Steff going down on the ball didn't cost us the game as they failed to score from it!! You could go through the whole game saying "what if" (the kicks at goal went over or we didn't concede so many penalties in our own half) but you seem to go through every game just picking out 1 or 2 and slating them. This game it's Will & Steff but I suppose your giving someone else a rest.
I do agree that some of our young players are not being developed properly and their confidence is getting knocked but I suppose that's old news.
Well Done boys just unlucky at the end

I am only stating a fact to point out Steff inexperience or indeed the step up from Pandy Park to the Amlin. He had an "Out" with PRydie falling back for him. A quick pass and another kick was the way to go. It's naive to think they didn't score from it. Once we were back in our 22 they made the most of it.Let's be fair though;it's a much easier game sat in an armchair. ;)

Robert Shillabeer wrote:

Gwent rugby wrote:
Good performance by the whole team, yes there were a few mistakes but I disagree with those of you that single out 1 or 2 people!! Steff going down on the ball didn't cost us the game as they failed to score from it!! You could go through the whole game saying "what if" (the kicks at goal went over or we didn't concede so many penalties in our own half) but you seem to go through every game just picking out 1 or 2 and slating them. This game it's Will & Steff but I suppose your giving someone else a rest.
I do agree that some of our young players are not being developed properly and their confidence is getting knocked but I suppose that's old news.
Well Done boys just unlucky at the end

At last someone who says it straight, it's a team game and picking out one or wo payers is wrong, it kills their self belief and does no one any good. Keep posting perhaps the constant knockers will change or disappear.

Couldn't disagree more to be honest. As we are on the cusp of a new era of "Crazy" wages for the rugby talent out there any player that is rendered useless by a line of text on a forum does not have what it takes imo. The sooner they are weeded out the better. Rugby regions are not psychiatric wards for the emotionally sensitive after all. If the players have any sense at all they won't take too much notice of the press. I think we do them an injustice thinking we have that much effect on them anyway. Anyone else that thinks telling it "Straight" is NOT saying what you think in case it upsets someone is wasting their time posting at all. This is forum, not a rally for the troops. Let's keep it real yeah? ;)

portforever wrote:
great effort from the dragons, bit of a sucker punch at the end, we all know phillips loves a tap and go , maybe someone should of been aware of it, but we did well cant fault the guts and effort

Love him or hate him, how many scrum halfs could have pulled that off? Bodes well for the 6N, if your that way inclined.

I can always rely on you guys to make me laugh "haaaaaaaaaaaaa"

What i wil say is i admire Lewis Evans pilling players away from questioning the officials, thats good to see

Just a thought, if Bayonne go down this year does no one think that Phillips could come to the Dragons? At least he won't be playing against us anymore.

Robert Shillabeer wrote:
Just a thought, if Bayonne go down this year does no one think that Phillips could come to the Dragons? At least he won't be playing against us anymore.

yes please he be good for us and be good to get one player back from france.
dragons board will have to empty there wallets but he would be a great start for next season..maybe stephen jones would like to come back to wales as well a couple in the pack and we are up and running for next year..

Well as the commentators on Sky said Newport played with a lot of heart and good performances by Jones at 8 and Evans at 7, but it was a second string Bayonne side, so don't get too carried away.

DaiFrank wrote:
Well as the commentators on Sky said Newport played with a lot of heart and good performances by Jones at 8 and Evans at 7, but it was a second string Bayonne side, so don't get too carried away.

Firstly Dai it wasn't Newport as Sky corrected. There is often far too much seriousness on this site so a bit of humour as in the two previous posts lightens the situation. The Dragons played very well against a side that wanted to win at almost any cost and we used some young players so rather than pointing fingers most posters have given praise. It was a very good game with only a few downsides.

I thought the 2nd Bayonne try was a bit dodgy. Debatable whether he put the all down before his knee touched the ground "in touch" and, I thought, a suspicion of it being "short"!

I thought the 2nd Bayonne try was a bit dodgy. Debatable whether he put the all down before his knee touched the ground "in touch" and, I thought, a suspicion of it being "short"!

I thought the 2nd Bayonne try was a bit dodgy. Debatable whether he put the all down before his knee touched the ground "in touch" and, I thought, a suspicion of it being "short"!

And lets get real - Why would Mr Phillips want to come to the Dragons !!

pooles wrote:
And lets get real - Why would Mr Phillips want to come to the Dragons !!

why not ask you never know, is he happy playing second fiddle in france cant do his welsh and lions hopes much good, you got to aim high or may as well give up. as always money will come into it .so not hopefull of him or anyone like him coming to the dragons

Yep all about the cash - And we not go any

pooles wrote:
And lets get real - Why would Mr Phillips want to come to the Dragons !!

It was a joke! Just to put a bit of humour into last nights disappointment but some seem to relish all the doom and gloom.

Robert Shillabeer wrote:

pooles wrote:
And lets get real - Why would Mr Phillips want to come to the Dragons !!

It was a joke! Just to put a bit of humour into last nights disappointment but some seem to relish all the doom and gloom.

Need to work on your delivery I recon Rob. Can't say your exactly renowned for ya humor. I watched the national news earlier and there was no mention of you developing a sense of humor, so I'm starting to wonder. Unless of course it's a one of your Sheldon Cooper stylee classic ruses. Bazinga! ;)

could have been worse! one of our players passport could have been eaten by his dog ;-)

portforever wrote:

pooles wrote:
And lets get real - Why would Mr Phillips want to come to the Dragons !!

why not ask you never know, is he happy playing second fiddle in france cant do his welsh and lions hopes much good, you got to aim high or may as well give up. as always money will come into it .so not hopefull of him or anyone like him coming to the dragons

so your idea of 'aiming high' is moving to the dragons?

kojaks_lovechild wrote:
could have been worse! one of our players passport could have been eaten by his dog ;-)

omg that was hilarious, it was all over the welsh news, only way Jase could get on the news would be via his dog ey? #claimtofame

number12 wrote:

portforever wrote:

pooles wrote: And lets get real - Why would Mr Phillips want to come to the Dragons !!

why not ask you never know, is he happy playing second fiddle in france cant do his welsh and lions hopes much good, you got to aim high or may as well give up. as always money will come into it .so not hopefull of him or anyone like him coming to the dragons

so your idea of 'aiming high' is moving to the dragons?

nothing wrong with the dragons aiming high, got to dream if nothing else,,,

Why did we not get the penalty try? last man between us and the try line make a blatant and diliberate professional foul, we got the penalty, he get yellowed, it would have been a try without a doubt, but no penalty try. Could have made all the difference.

Euwan Usami wrote:

Robert Shillabeer wrote:

pooles wrote:
And lets get real - Why would Mr Phillips want to come to the Dragons !!

It was a joke! Just to put a bit of humour into last nights disappointment but some seem to relish all the doom and gloom.

Need to work on your delivery I recon Rob. Can't say your exactly renowned for ya humor. I watched the national news earlier and there was no mention of you developing a sense of humor, so I'm starting to wonder. Unless of course it's a one of your Sheldon Cooper stylee classic ruses. Bazinga! ;)

A dry sence of humour but I do like MASH and some very weird funnies I must admit. But, a good sence of humour although a bit old fashioned perhaps. Not one for he smutty humour but always available for a god laugh.

Testedontimes wrote:
Why did we not get the penalty try? last man between us and the try line make a blatant and diliberate professional foul, we got the penalty, he get yellowed, it would have been a try without a doubt, but no penalty try. Could have made all the difference.

I thought the same thing at the time. Need a rule boffin to explain that one for me too.

Testedontimes wrote:
Why did we not get the penalty try? last man between us and the try line make a blatant and diliberate professional foul, we got the penalty, he get yellowed, it would have been a try without a doubt, but no penalty try. Could have made all the difference.

Spot on yet another very poor riffing decision, a red card and a penalty try really. Last man and a deliberate foul must mean max penalty. But again shows how inconsistent the refs are. At east they are now moving to the last two plays to decide if a try is scored, but only experimental next season.

I didn't think you needed a passport to go to another EU country. Is this a plan to keep him free to play in europe for another club, coming back home maybe, we could certainly do with him.

Robert Shillabeer wrote:

DaiFrank wrote:
Well as the commentators on Sky said Newport played with a lot of heart and good performances by Jones at 8 and Evans at 7, but it was a second string Bayonne side, so don't get too carried away.

Firstly Dai it wasn't Newport as Sky corrected. There is often far too much seriousness on this site so a bit of humour as in the two previous posts lightens the situation. The Dragons played very well against a side that wanted to win at almost any cost and we used some young players so rather than pointing fingers most posters have given praise. It was a very good game with only a few downsides.

I must have been watching another side called NEWPORT. I'm sure that's what it clearly stated on their badge and the TV.. oh well. At the risk of repeating myself as the Sky commentators said Newport played with a lot of heart against a second string Bayonne side. Now I know you want me to be literal but my refusal is based on my very dark humour ... scary hey!

Dragons playing yet again like a development region. Haven't I heard that somewhere before. Oh yes but didn't think that had been agreed yet. Unfortunately all the other regions are playing just as bad. Thankfully most of the Welsh squad are elsewhere. What a joke.

DaiFrank wrote:

Robert Shillabeer wrote:

DaiFrank wrote:
Well as the commentators on Sky said Newport played with a lot of heart and good performances by Jones at 8 and Evans at 7, but it was a second string Bayonne side, so don't get too carried away.

Firstly Dai it wasn't Newport as Sky corrected. There is often far too much seriousness on this site so a bit of humour as in the two previous posts lightens the situation. The Dragons played very well against a side that wanted to win at almost any cost and we used some young players so rather than pointing fingers most posters have given praise. It was a very good game with only a few downsides.

I must have been watching another side called NEWPORT. I'm sure that's what it clearly stated on their badge and the TV.. oh well. At the risk of repeating myself as the Sky commentators said Newport played with a lot of heart against a second string Bayonne side. Now I know you want me to be literal but my refusal is based on my very dark humour ... scary hey!

Sky don't cover Welsh matches that's ten so their background team often make mistakes like calling the Dragons Newport the Scarlets Llanelli and the Blues Cardiff. I've never heard the Ospreys called Swansea or Neath because they have accepted their name far better than the other 3regions. Using Newport devalues Newport RFC who play some half decent rugby against some very useful sides, yesterday's game was one in point with the arm wrestle that went on. Sky is that bit aloof to many Welsh rugby supporters and concentrates on English rugby but a bit more research before games would prevent the sudden changes we saw on Thursday when they corrected both their vocal and screen titles when they became aware of the error, surprised Evans didn't know it though, he being Welsh, oh but he is from West Wales I suppose so can be forgiven on this occasion.