Superb Dragons boost knockout hopes with Challenge Cup victory in Newcastle

THE Dragons sparked their bid for the knockout stages of the Challenge Cup with a superb 22-14 win at Newcastle.

The Rodney Parade club put themselves under pressure by falling to defeat to Montpellier in Newport on opening weekend but responded by stunning the Falcons at Kingston Park.

The Dragons led 10-7 at the break thanks to a first try for the club by loosehead Rodrigo Martinez and five points from the boot of captain and fly-half Angus O’Brien.

Tries by number eight Aaron Wainwright and full-back Huw Anderson – the two best players on the pitch – put them in command 22-14 inside the final quarter.

They finished the job to record a first win on the road since a triumph in Pau almost two years ago and the only negative was a worrying injury to lock George Nott, who was stretchered off in the closing stages after a head injury.

The win means that if they can bag a five-point haul against Pau in January then they will be on the brink of the last 16, while a shock success at the Lions the following weekend would carry the prize of a home tie.

POWER: Aaron Wainwright crashes over for the Dragons' second try (Image: Chris Booth/Huw Evans Agency)

Not only that, this victory has given them a timely lift ahead of the festive derbies against Cardiff in Newport on Boxing Day and the Scarlets in Llanelli on New Year’s Day.

It was a first success since the Ospreys were edged out at the death on opening weekend and a first triumph under interim head coach Filo Tiatia.

Now they must hunt back-to-back wins when they welcome the Blue and Blacks to a packed Rodney Parade in what is one of the biggest fixtures for many a year.

With Wainwright back to his dominant and influential best, what a showdown it promises to be against fit-again Taulupe Faletau.

Meanwhile, a success against a Newcastle side who were fresh from home wins against Exeter and Saracens means that plenty of youngsters – especially Anderson and impressive teenage lock Nick Thomas – have put their hands up for derby spots.

The Dragons made a sloppy start – inexperienced scrum-half Che Hope showing his nerves with a couple of early errors – but held firm with defence in the 22 on several occasions to frustrate the Falcons.

That allowed them to hit the front in the 16th minute after a booming clearance by O’Brien, who had been shifted from 15 to 10, had put them into enemy territory.

With Wales star Aaron Wainwright prominent, they attacked with patience to work towards the line for Argentina prop Martinez to barge over for a try that O’Brien converted.

The Dragons were agonisingly close to making it a double after another strong burst by Wainwright put wing Oli Andrew in motion down the left.

To the naked eye it looked like the youngster had finished majestically but TMO footage revealed he had just hit the touchline when diving while tackled by England international Adam Radwan.

The hosts continued to make costly errors when in promising positions and the Dragons retained their seven-point lead after half an hour.

It got better in the 35th minute when a penalty in front of the sticks allowed O'Brien to make it 10-0.

However, the Falcons sparked into life in the 37th minute when they worked space in midfield for the seriously rapid Radwan to burst through and then burn last man Huw Anderson on the outside. Kieran Wilkinson converted.

The Dragons responded with a strong scrum to have one last scoring chance in the 22 with the clock in the red.

They hammered away at the line but a key turnover ensured Newcastle escaped to go into half-time just three down.

TUSSLE: Aneurin Owen works hard in defence for the Dragons (Image: Richard Sellers)

The Dragons made a bright start to the second half to pose plenty of questions of the Falcons’ defence.

The hosts turned to their driving lineout in response, winning one penalty with it to kick to the 22 for another crack.

The Dragons infringed but Newcastle played with penalty advantage and the centres combined, Connor Doherty putting a grubber in for Alex Hearle to cross.

Wilkinson's conversion put the Falcons 14-10 up after 48 minutes.

It was a short-lived lead with the home side making a mess of the restart and then the Dragons striking with a cunning lineout move, Wainwright going on the charge down the blindside to power over and make it 15-14.

The Dragons then had daylight on the hour thanks to a seven-pointer that came after they were in serious peril.

Newcastle full-back Ben Redshaw made a searing break but lock Sebastian de Chaves couldn't hold onto his pass.

The ball fell for Anderson to counter from inside his half, having the pace to elude Radwan.

Replacement Cai Evans converted and it soon looked like the Dragons had their bonus after a slick move ended with Wales scrum-half Rhodri Williams going over, only for a TMO check to reveal a forward pass in the build-up.

It remained 22-14 but the Dragons then suffered their second head injury blow in the boilerhouse when Nott, who had been joined early on by debutant teenager Nick Thomas after Steve Cummins was forced off, received lengthy treatment after getting in an awkward position making a tackle.

A big burst by hooker Bryan Byrne gave the Dragons a scare with eight to go but young Thomas got over the ball to win a penalty that released the pressure.

The clock was forcing the Falcons to chase the game - the visitors were within touching distance of a morale-booster.

A superb cover tackle by Aneurin Owen snuffed out a Newcastle attack in the 77th minute, prompting a scuffle after some verbals by the pumped-up centre to flanker Tom Gordon.

With that went the Falcons’ hopes and the Dragons now have hope of knockout rugby.

Newcastle scorers: tries – Radwan, Hearle; conversions – Wilkinson (2).

Dragons: Anderson; E Rosser, Westwood, Owen, Andrew (C Evans 50); O'Brien (captain, Wilson 53-61), Hope (R Williams 50); Martinez (Reynolds 60), Coghlan (Burrows 60), Coleman (Latu 60), Cummins (N Thomas 24), Nott (Minto 64), Woodman, Lydiate, Wainwright.

Scorers: tries – Martinez, Wainwright, Anderson; conversions - O'Brien, C Evans; penalty – O’Brien.

Referee: Federico Vedovelli (Italy).