Dragons simply dominate Leinster
The Newport-Gwent Dragons scored a comprehensive four-try 30-9 victory over in-form Irish Province Leinster at Rodney Parade on Sunday evening.
Paul Turner’s men have been in fine form themselves in recent weeks and, up against an understrength Leinster side, ran in four first half tries and outplayed their opponents.
The home side took control early in the match thanks to a try from Aled Brew after five minutes and then added their second five pointer of the night after 22 minutes, through James Arlidge, after a Fergus McFadden penalty had narrowed the gap.
Leinster’s Ian McKinley added a drop goal on 27 minutes before Wayne Evans and Richard Fussell added their names to the scoresheet and put the home side in a very comfortable position at the break.
McFadden and Jason Tovey exchanged penalties early in the second half, taking the score to 27-9.
Tovey added his second penalty of the afternoon after 66 minutes.
Leinster wing Simon Keogh scored a consolation try for his side two minutes from time but the result was still a massive win for the Dragons.
The Scorers
For Dragons
Tries: Brew, Arlidge, Evans, Fussell
Pens: Tovey
Cons: Tovey 2
For Leinster
Pens: McFadden 2
DG: McKinley
The teams:
Dragons: 15 Jason Tovey, 14 Aled Brew, 13 Rhodri Gomer Davies, 12 Tom Riley, 11 Richard Fussell, 10 James Arlidge, 9 Wayne Evans, 8 Grant Webb, 7 Gavin Thomas, 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Luke Charteris (captain), 4 Rob Sidoli, 3 Pat Palmer, 2 Steve Jones, 1 Hugh Gustafson.
Replacements: 16 Duane Goodfield, 17 Peter Bracken, 18 Hoani MacDonald, 19 Adam Jones, 20 Martyn Thomas, 21 Will Harries, 22 Alex Walker.
Leinster: 15 Niall Morris, 14 David Kearney, 13 Eoin O’Malley, 12 Fergus McFadden, 11 Simon Keogh, 10 Ian McKinley, 9 Chris Keane, 8 Stephen Keogh, 7 Dominic Ryan, 6 Rhys Ruddock, 5 Malcolm O’Kelly, 4 Devin Toner, 3 CJ van der Linde, 2 Bernard Jackman (captain), 1 Ronan McCormack.
Replacements: 16 Richardt Strauss, 17 Mike Ross, 18 Trevor Hogan, 19 Paul Ryan, 20 Paul O’Donohoe, 21 Ian Madigan, 22 Michael Keating.
Referee: Simon McDowell (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Phil Fear (Wales), Sean Brickell (Wales)
TMO: Neil Ballard (Wales)
