BOSS Ceri Jones has pledged that his “resilient” Dragons will bounce back from a 38-13 hammering at the Cheetahs and fly into the Scarlets in a bid to finish another nightmare season on a winning note at Judgement Day.

The Rodney Parade region failed to end their four-year winless streak on the road after being hit by a Cheetahs surge in the final quarter in Bloemfontein.

The Dragons led 13-10 on the hour but shipped four converted tries as altitude and a big tackle count told at Free State Stadium.

READ MORE: Cheetahs 38 Dragons 13

After drawing with the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth to end a run of 42 straight losses away from Rodney Parade, Jones was frustrated at his side’s late implosion.

However, the caretaker head coach is confident that the Dragons can finish with a flourish when they take on the play-off chasing Scarlets at Principality Stadium on Saturday, April 27.

South Wales Argus:

“We take plenty away from the South African tour. We were very much in both games, could have got that away win, and so we must take positives back and into Judgement Day,” said Jones.

“We are all disappointed not to get that win. But this is a resilient group and we will go home and look to give it everything now on the final day of the season to finish on a positive note.”

Jones felt it was yet again a case of missed opportunities against the Cheetahs.

“I thought we were very competitive until the last 15 minutes when they pulled away,” said Jones.

“Our discipline let us down at times in the first half, but we were very good value to come back and get back ahead. We were in a position to get more from the game but failed to take it.

“I was pleased with the position we put ourselves in to get something from the game, but a lost a lineout and a crucial turnover in midfield saw them take advantage and pull clear. We need to execute better in those pivotal moments.

“Once they scored the third try we chased the game trying to get something out of it and so those late tries can happen.

“You throw caution to the wind and the late intercept certainly made the score worse than it was. We were better than the final score line.”

South Wales Argus:

The Dragons trailed 10-3 at half-time but responded well to level at the start of the season half through teenage flanker Taine Basham.

“There are frustrations looking back at the game. In the first half we didn’t fire a bullet, so to speak, we got the wrong side of the referee and our breakdown work wasn’t good enough,” said Jones.

“We showed plenty of endeavour and energy to come back into the game just after half-time, but we have fallen away late on.

“Playing at altitude is new experience for many of these players and they will learn from it and be better next time.”