Stephen Jones proved the difference between the two sides by accumulating 19 points in a game of fluctuating fortunes where the Dragons outscored the Scarlets three tries to two but were unable to avenge September’s defeat at Rodney Parade.
The Scarlets began the match just two points above the Dragons in the league standings and recalled their big guns for the clash. Stephen Jones, Matthew Rees and Simon Easterby returned to the starting line-up after the influential trio were rested for the recent defeat to the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium.
But it was crowd favourite Morgan Stoddart who made the first impact when he sped onto Regan King’s pass deep inside his own half to hack downfield. He looked odds on to collect the ball but Gareth Wyatt invenened to stop the Scarlets attack.
However the Scarlets fans had something to shout about in the seventh minute when King glided gloriously through a bewildered Dragons defence to score his first try in the league this season. Jones added the easy conversion and quickly followed that up with a penalty after a sweeping Scarlets attack to give the home side an early 10-0 lead.
The Dragons, who were without key figures Joe Bearman and Luke Charteris, were clearly rattled in the early stages as the Scarlets ran riot. But almost out of the blue, the Dragons hit back in the 19th minute.
The visitors won quick lineout ball on halfway and quickly moved the ball along the backline for fullback Jason Tovey to send Richard Fussell clear. The winger raced clear to silence the home fans and when Shaun Connor landed an excellent conversion, the Dragons had clawed back the Scarlets lead to just three points.
The Dragons then enjoyed a purple patch and stunned the Scarlets when Fussell scored his second try in the 29th minute. Rory Sidey did the damage, breaking three tackles in midfield before Jamie Ringer flipped a scoring pass to Fussell who simply had to touch down in the same spot he scored his first try. Connor fired over another perfect conversion to give the Dragons a shock 10-14 lead.
The Dragons sensed the home side were on the ropes and nearly added to the Scarlets woes when both Colin Charvis and Rhys Thomas went perilously close to scoring. When the Scarlets had the chance to relieve the pressure Stephen Jones failed to find touch and Fussell returned his kick with interest and when Jones found himself at the bottom of the ruck refusing to let go of the ball, Connor stepped up and sent the penalty between the sticks to give the Dragons a 10-17 halftime lead.
The Dragons had a chance to widen the gap virtually from the kick-off when Phil John was penalised for going off his feet at a ruck but Connor fluffed the chance. The Scarlets then got some possession and earned themselves a penalty after John surged within inches of the whitewash but was held up illegally. Jones stepped up to slot the penalty to cut the Dragons lead to four points.
The Scarlets regained the lead in the 58th minute when Pembrey powerhouse Phil John plunged over after his fellow front rower Deacon Manu caused the initial damage with a bullocking run. Jones added the easy conversion and rapidly followed with a penalty to give the Scarlets a 23-17 lead in a game which could go either way.
Jones further increased the lead when the Dragons were penalised for blocking Jonathan Davies’s pathway who was chasing the fly-half’s chip. Jones penalty put the Scarlets two scores clear at 26-17 and the Dragons brave challenge looked to be faltering when Jones added a further penalty in the 68th minute.
The Dragons refused to go away and Connor ensured a nervy end for the home fans when he squeezed his way over in Darren Daniel’s tackle and put over the conversion to bring the visitors to within five points of the Scarlets. However despite throwing everything at the Scarlets, the Dragons had to settle for a losing bonus point as their only reward from a match which they could so easily have gained more.
