Ian Gough, Michael Owen and Gareth Chapman all crossed as the Dragons got the perfect start to 2006. But the result leaves defending champions Ospreys just one place off the bottom of the table and the end of their reign as Celtic champions in sight. Yet it had started so well for the Ospreys in front of more than 6,000 at Rodney Parade.
The away team has never won this fixture but it took the Ospreys less than five minutes to find their way over the Dragons line, Shaun Connor finished the move he created. Huw Bennett, Jason Spice and Shane Williams involved in the attack that saw Connor touch down in the corner. Adrian Cashmore missed the conversion but stretched the Ospreys lead to 8-0 midway through the first half with a penalty. But the Dragons roared back with two tries in the space of four minutes just before half-time.
Wales lock Gough found a gap in the Ospreys defence to canter over under the posts on 31 minutes. Moments later Hal Luscombe burst down the right-hand side before Chapman sent Owen over to snatch the lead. Ceri Sweeney converted both but two penalties from Cashmore’s saw the scores level at 14-14 early in the second half.
But after hauling themselves back in the game, the Ospreys literally threw it away when Chapman intercepted Connor’s long pass to Williams to grab the Dragons’ third and decisive try.
Dragons: Tries – I Gough, M Owen, G Chapman. Cons – C Sweeney (2), C Warlow.
Ospreys: Try – S Connor. Pens – A Cashmore (3).
Referee: H Watkins (WRU)
Attendance: 6,115
