DRAGONS COME UNSTUCK IN CONNACHT

Connacht 16 – 9 Newport-Gwent Dragons


Mark McHugh ended the Newport Gwent-Dragons 100% away record in the Magners League as he kicked Connacht to victory.
The Connacht fly-half kicked 11 points for his side including the conversion of their first-half try as the Dragons run of away wins came to an end.
Wins at Glasgow and the Borders on the road, plus last week’s Anglo-Welsh cup win over Northampton at Rodney Parade, had boosted the Dragons’ confidence but they just failed to recover from their 16-0 half-time deficit.
Dragons’ coach Paul Turner handed a debut in Galway to 18-year-old Academy tight-head prop Jamie Corsi – who played in last year’s Wales U-19 Grand Slam side.
Connacht came into the Magners League clash on the back of six consecutive home games, although the Scarlets, Ulster and Leinster have all come away from Galway’s Sportsground with wins.
With a stiff wind blowing off the Atlantic conditions, Connacht put plenty of early pressure on the Welsh region.
Irish kicking machine Mark McHugh landed a 45-yard penalty and a drop goal to take his personal tally for the season up to the 70-point mark.
The Dragons hit back with a driving maul that smashed it’s way to the Connacht line before wing Aled Brew was held up over the line.
But McHugh struck again with a penalty before Connacht’s burly flanker Ray Ofisa crashed over, McHugh converted making it 16-0 at the break.
Having changed ends, the Dragons used the strong wind on their backs to their advantage as Ceri Sweeney eroded the Connacht lead by landing three penalties to put them back in the game at 16-9.
Connacht: Ofisa try, McHugh con, McHugh (2) pen, McHugh drop goal
Dragons:  Sweeney (3) pen