OUTSIDE-HALF Arwel Robson clinched an exciting British and Irish Cup win for the Dragons Premiership Select XV by converting his own last-ditch try from the touchline, writes Geoff Champion.

The promising fly-half also converted a Nathan Hudd try midway through the second half at Ystrad Mynach and kicked a close-range penalty seven minutes after the restart which gave him a personal tally of 12 points.

Wing Joe Goodchild had given the Select team a second-minute lead when he crossed for an unconverted try.

Yorkshire Carnegie’s points came from tries by Brandon Staples, Chris Walker and Rob O’Donnell. Outside-half Warren Seals kicked a penalty and conversion.

The Select team were firmly anchored to the base of the Pool 5 table having lost all three of their previous fixtures against Bedford, Ealing Trailfinders and Yorkshire Carnegie, who pipped them 20-17.

They had to win each of their three remaining return games to stand a chance of reaching the quarter-finals of the competition.

High-flying English championship side Carnegie, beaten 33-10 in last season’s final by London Welsh, were expected to again provide a stern test for the youthful Dragons outfit at the Caerphilly County Borough Centre for Sporting Excellence.

The Select side took the lead after just two minutes.

Hooker Darran Harris roared away on a 40-metre burst to set up the position for half-backs Owain Leonard and Robson to move the ball to the right for Goodchild to score in the corner.

Robson had a chance to increase their lead midway through the first half with a penalty but the ball hit an upright and was cleared.

Carnegie produced two quick scores to take an 8-5 interval lead, number-eight Staples snapping up an unconverted try and Seals popping over a penalty.

But Robson was to have the final say with his crucial try and conversion in the final minute.

Dragons Premier Select: J Prosser; J Goodchild (E Frewen 56), C Edwards, B Nightingale, D Evans; A Robson, O Leonard; J Lavender (K Bale 70), D Harris (E Shipp 15), C Mitchell, J Davies, H Williams, A Waite (N Hudd 56), J Benjamin (capt), R Blake.

Scorers: Tries: J Goodchild, N Hudd, A Robson, Pens: A Robson, Cons: A Robson (2)

Yorkshire Carnegie: S McColl; O Goss, M Wright, T Casson (S Allan 66) (O Fox 79), T Prell; W Seals, M Green; L Boyce (C Beech 53), M Mayhew (R Graham 55), G Robertson (R O’Donnell 36), D Sanderson (R Beck 31), G Borrowdale, A Saull, C Walker (capt), B Staples.

Scorers: Tries: B Staples, C Walker, R O’Donnell, Pens: W Seals, Con: W Seals

Referee: Jonny Erskine (IRFU)

Dragons man of the match: Arwel Robson