REPORT: Dragons pipped at Kingsholm

Bernard Jackman’s side began in impressive fashion and scored tries through Jordan Williams, Josh Lewis, Dafydd Howells, Tiaan Loots and Rhodri Williams. Lewis and replacement Gavin Henson kicked the rest of the points, but it was still not quite enough.

The Cherry & Whites won the game in the 10 minutes either side of the break with their tries coming from Matt Banahan, Jason Woodward, James Hanson, Franco Marais, Mariano Galarza and a penalty score as Billy Twelvetrees had an impressive night with the boot.

The Dragons had the perfect start when Huw Taylor won an early penalty with the hosts holding on at the breakdown. A kick to the corner ended with the desired result. 

From the line-out, the ball was spread back right where full-back Williams slipped through some weak tackling to dive over the line. Lewis missed the conversion, but the Dragons had still drawn first blood.

Gloucester soon hit back. Danny Cipriani’s perfect pass sent Banahan over and then the giant wing gave a try-scoring pass to Woodward who cantered over for another try, both of which were converted by Twelvetrees.. 

Lewis couldn’t succeed with what was a simple penalty effort, but with the Dragons pack standing up well, the fly-half made amends with a converted try of his own. It put the Dragons ahead, but there was still time before the break to Gloucester to turn the tables as a powerful driving maul ended with hooker Hanson driven over. 
Twelvetrees converted to make it 21-12 at the break.

After the break, it was Gloucester who took total control with three quick tries. Efforts from Marais and Galarza – both of which came from powerful forward efforts – were followed by a penalty try as the scoreboard took on a one-sided look.

Twelvetrees converted Galarza’s effort to make it 40-12. At that stage the Dragons were struggling, but they continued to try and play in wide areas and got their reward with a third try. 

Adam Warren was the creator with a sublime break and he gave the scoring pass to Howells, one of a raft of substitutions made by both sides. Gavin Henson kicked the goal from wide out.

There had been regular tries throughout the 80 minutes and the final 10 were no different. The Dragons drove over through substitute Loots and Henson’s kick raised the tantalising possibility of a thrilling finale, before Gloucester did enough despite Rhodri Williams having the game’s last laugh.