Dragons try scorer Rio Dyer’s form has earned him a place in the Wales squad for the Autumn Series
| Dragons (15) 32 |
| Try: Wainwright, penalty, Roberts, Dyer (2) Disadvantages: Anna (2) Pencils: Hanrahan |
| Osprey (15) 25 |
| Try: North, Baldwin, Watkin Disadvantages: Walsh (2) pencils: Walsh (2) |
Rio Dyer celebrated his appearance for Wales with two tries to secure a rousing victory for Dragons over Ospreys.
The 22-year-old winger crossed twice in the second half, including a stunning solo run from half-time to decide a thrilling Welsh derby at Rodney Parade.
Aaron Wainwright and Bradley Roberts also scored in a game that saw both teams down to 13 men at times.
Owen Watkin’s attempt at The Ospreys provided a nail-biting climax after earlier scores by George North and Scott Baldwin.
Despite losing Elliott Dee and Sean Lonsdale to yellow cards in a frantic final five minutes, the Dragons held on to a win that will do the region very good.
Things looked very different when North charged over the goal from 30 yards after less than 40 seconds.
This result meant the Ospreys managed to silence the normally rowdy atmosphere of the 6,000-strong crowd on Rodney Parade in the end.
Jack Walsh took over at fly-half for Ospreys from the injured Stephen Myler and couldn’t have made a bigger early statement.
The Aussie fly-half slid through the Dragons’ midfield before giving a clear run to North, who looked menacing all game until suffering a knee injury.
Walsh converted and then traded penalties with JJ Hanrahan just as Dewi Lake trotted away.
The hooker was named in the Wales squad this week and tried to shrug off an early pat on the back, only to concede defeat after just 17 minutes.
Baldwin took his place and soon came off a rolling line-out maul for the Ospreys’ second try on the scorer’s list just moments after Wainwright hit back for Dragons.
The flanker was sent on his 100th appearance by Harrison Keddie after Jack Dixon had a powerful burst.
Ospreys then imploded five minutes before halftime as they gambled away their 15-8 lead and reduced it to 13 men.
Morgan Morris was shown a yellow card for tackling a player for offside when Dragons threatened.
Referee Adam Jones then sent Osprey’s Lock Beard to Morris in the Sin Trap and missed a penalty try which Hanrahan converted to level 15-15 at halftime.
Dragons wasted no time and took advantage of 13 men. After Jack Dixon was stopped by Jac Morgan, whore Roberts peeled himself off a snake to fall before Dyer capped a wonderful week.
The uncovered winger showed why he was named by Wales manager Wayne Pivac by holding off his opposite number before finishing with a stunning one-handed touchdown for 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 recovered three points but Ospreys had Watkin to thank for saving one particular try after Dyer flew out of his own half before finding Wainwright for support.
This fueled the audience and more cards came with pressure.
But as Ospreys tried to put the 13 Dragons to the sword, Dyer picked off Smith’s pass in his own half and made his way to the line on a searing run.
Watkin crossed late but Dragons held out the final 60 seconds for an exciting win.
Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan said:
“It was a bit nervous at the end after the guys were so composed. We went 7-0 down so early that a low-confidence team could have collapsed, but we stuck together and got a great win.
“The lads showed character and made good decisions in the final minutes.
“How good has Rio been? It’s so gratifying to see the players come out of their shells and sit back, but he’s got it all.”
Ospreys head coach Toby Booth said:
“You cannot walk away from home and be subjected to such disregard, whether you agree with the decisions or not. This is really disappointing.
“The Dragons were energetic in front of this crowd, but when you give away so many penalties and kicks you just sap your own energy, motivation and stretch for the game.
“Going down to 13 men made it a whole different competition. It’s about controlling the emotional side of the game and that’s the biggest lesson for this team.”
dragons: Sam Davies; Rio Dyer, Steff Hughes, Jack Dixon, Jared Rosser; JJ Hanrahan, Gonzalo Bertranou; Rhodri Jones, Bradley Roberts, Lloyd Fairbrother, Ben Carter, Will Rowlands (Captain), Aaron Wainwright, Harrison Keddie, Ross Moriarty
Substitute: Elliot Dee, Aki Seiuli, Chris Coleman, Joe Davies, Sean Lonsdale, Rhodri Williams, Aneurin Owen, Max Clark
Osprey: Max Nagy; George North, Owen Watkin, Michael Collins, Luke Morgan; Jack Walsh, Rhys Webb (Captain); Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake, Tomas Francis, Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones, Ethan Roots, Jac Morgan, Morgan Morris.
Substitute: Scott Baldwin, Nicky Smith, Tom Botha, Rhys Davies, Dan Lydiate, Justin Tipuric, Reuben Morgan Williams, Joe Hawkins
Referee: Adam Jones (WRU)
Assistant Referees: Mike English & Wayne Davies (WRU)
TMO: Ian Davis (WRU)
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