NEWPORT Gwent Dragons pushed top Guinness Premiership team Saracens all the way before going down narrowly in last night’s pre-season friendly at Rodney Parade.

It was an encouraging performance and if the Dragons can maintain this spirit and commitment they should be in for a better season.

Saracens, massively resourced, fielded some giants of the game including current England captain Steve Borthwick and All Blacks powerhouse Chris Jack.

But the Dragons took the game to their illustrious opponents, Rhys Thomas, now blond haired, prominent along with Tom Willis and the backs handling neatly before James Arlidge struck an upright with a 40-yard penalty shot.

Michael Owen was clearly out to impress against his former team as the Saracens sought to extend an impressive pre-season run after beating Australians Western Force and even bigger spending Toulon.

But the Dragons continued to make headway and after a barging run by Rory Sidey the Saracens were penalised. Arlidge could hardly miss from bang in front.

Joe Bearman put in a typical buccaneering run, then he combined with Sidey, Luke Charteris and Willis as the Dragons pinned Saracens near their own line.

They were rewarded when Arlidge landed his second penalty, but in a six-minute spell the Dragons suffered a quadruple blow which changed the course of the game.

Glen Jackson kicked a penalty, Jack pounced for a try from a line-out which Jackson converted well, Dragons flanker James Harris limped off and centre Kameli Ratuvou carved through slack defence for a try which Jackson again converted to make it 17-6 at the interval.

The Dragons launched a super attack after a neat kick by Arlidge with Ashley Smith and Gareth Maule Maule prominent, only for Thomas to knock on.

But they made amends when Arlidge, Smith and Sidey handled well and Richard Fussell barged over for a try which Arlidge converted superbly from the touchline.

Jackson and Arlidge swapped penalties, then Saracens skipper Borthwick was yellow carded for diving in from the wrong side to set up a dramatic finale.

Replacement Jason Tovey narrowed the gap to a point with seven minutes left with an easy penalty, but Saracens clinched it with Jackson’s third penalty.

Newport Gwent Dragons: A Smith, G Maule, M Stcherbina, R Sidey, R Fussell, J Arlidge (J Tovey 62), W Evans (R Lewis 62), A Black (L Harrison 62), T Willis (captain), R Thomas, A Jones (A Brown 72), L Charteris, J Bearman ( ıJ Ringer 57), L Evans (G Webb 57), J Harris (R Parks 31).

Scorers -- try: R Fussell; conversion: J Arlidge; penalties: Arlidge (3), J Tovey.

Saracens: R Haughton (M Harris 40), B Russell (N Cato 25), K Ratuvou, A Powell, R Penney, G Jackson, N de Kock, N Lloyd, M Cairns, C Johnston, S Borthwick, K Chesney (H Vyvyan 48), C Jack (D Barrell 46), M Owen, A Saull.

Scorers -- tries: C Jack, K Ratuvou; conversions: G Jackson (2) ; penalties: Jackson (3).

Referee: Tim Hayes (WRU).

Attendance: 3,521.