| Dragons (15) 32 |
| Trying to: Wainwright, Penalty, Roberts, Dier (2) Cons: Hanrahan (2) Handles: Hanrahan |
| Ospreys (15) 25 |
| Trying: North, Baldwin, Watkin Cons: Walsh (2) Handles: Walsh (2) |
Rio Dyer celebrated his Wales call-up with two tries to seal the Dragons’ thrilling win over the Ospreys.
The 22-year-old winger crossed the ball twice in the second half, including a stunning solo run from halfway to settle a thrilling Welsh derby at Rodney Parade.
Aaron Wainwright and Bradley Roberts also scored in a game that saw both sides reduced to 13 men at times.
Ospreys’ Owen Watkin’s try was the highlight after earlier scores from George North and Scott Baldwin.
However, despite losing Elliot Dee and Sean Lonsdale to yellow cards in the final five minutes, the Dragons held on for a win that will benefit the region.
It looked like it would be a very different story when North burst in from 30 meters less than 40 seconds later.
The score meant the Ospreys were able to drown out the usually raucous atmosphere of the 6,000-strong crowd at Rodney Parade.
Jack Walsh replaced the injured Stephen Myler in the Ospreys squad and could not have made a more important statement in the early stages.
The Australian half-back flew through the Dragons midfield before releasing North, who looked threatening all game until his knee injury, for a clean run.
Walsh converted and then traded penalties with JJ Hanrahan just as Dewey Lake pulled away.
The prostitute was named in Wales this week and tried to shake off an early shoulder tackle, only to concede defeat after just 17 minutes.
Baldwin took his place and was soon on the scoresheet after the Ospreys’ second try rolled off the line, just moments after Wainwright had saved a shot in the Dragons’ goal.
The flanker was sent off by Garrison Keddy, making his 100th appearance, after a powerful strike from Jack Dixon.
The Ospreys then exploded during a crazy five minutes before the break which saw them squander a 15-8 lead and go down to 13 men.
Morgan Morris was booked for a tackle on an offside player as the Dragons threatened.
Referee Adam Jones then sent off Ospreys Lock Beard to join Morris in the sin-bin and awarded a penalty which Hanrahan converted to make it 15-15 at the break.
The Dragons wasted no time in taking advantage against 13 men. After Jack Dixon was held up by Jack Morgan, hooker Roberts drove off the line-out and crashed in before Dyer rounded off a superb week.
The uncapped winger showed why he was named by Wales coach Wayne Pivac, picking up his opposite man before finishing with a stunning one-handed touch to claim the bonus point.
With the Dragons leading 27-15, Ospreys boss Toby Booth turned to the bench, including Welsh pair Justin Tipuric and Nicky Smith.
Walsh got the three points back but Ospreys had Watkin to thank for saving a certain try after Dyer flew out of his own half before finding support from Wainwright.
This revved up the guests and brought in more cards with a push.
But with the Ospreys looking to punish the Dragons 13, Dyer intercepted Smith’s pass in his own half and made a searing dash to the line.
Watkin went through late, but the Dragons held on for the final 60 seconds for a thrilling victory.
Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan said:
“It was a bit shaky at the end with the lads so focused. We were 7-0 down so early that a team with low confidence could have collapsed but we stuck together and got a great win.
“The boys showed character and made good decisions in the last few minutes.
“How good was Rio? It’s great to see players come out of their shells and come back, but he did it.”
Ospreys head coach Toby Booth said:
“You can’t leave your house and be disciplined like that, whether you agree with the decisions or not. This is really disappointing.
“The Dragons were full of energy in front of that crowd, but when you take so many penalties and get beaten, you just lose your energy, motivation and stretch for the game.
“Going down to 13 made it a completely different contest. It’s about staying in control of the emotional side of the game and that’s the biggest lesson for this team.”
Dragons: Sam Davis; Ria Dyer, Steph Hughes, Jack Dixon, Jared Rosser; JJ Hanrahan, Gonzalo Bertrand; Rhodri Jones, Bradley Roberts, Lloyd Fairbrother, Ben Carter, Will Rowlands (capt), Aaron Wainwright, Harrison Keddy, Ross Moriarty
Replacements: Elliot Dee, Aki Seiuli, Chris Coleman, Joe Davies, Sean Lonsdale, Rhodri Williams, Aneurin Owen, Max Clarke
Ospreys: Max Nagy; George North, Owen Watkin, Michael Collins, Luke Morgan; Jack Walsh, Rhys Webb (capt); Gareth Thomas, Davy Lake, Thomas Francis, Adam Bird, Alan Wyn Jones, Ethan Roots, Jack Morgan, Morgan Morris.
Replacements: Scott Baldwin, Nicky Smith, Tom Botha, Rhys Davies, Dan Lydiatt, Justin Tipuric, Reuben Morgan Williams, Joe Hawkins
Judge: Adam Jones (WRU)
Assistant referees: Mike English and Wayne Davies (WRU)
TMO: Ian Davies (WRU)
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