Newport Gwent Dragons en route for Heineken Cup Qualification – Rugby news
Newport Gwent Dragons have taken a step closer for qualifying for the Heineken Cup, after they have secured an easy victory over the Benetton Treviso.
Both teams were facing each as part of the Magners League 2010/11 at Rodney Parade, Newport. Before the match their was not much difference between the both sides as both teams have won equal number of matches i.e. 7 before this weekend’s encounter.
Hosts, Newport Gwent Dragons were able to pile up a massive first half lead, which proved to be pivotal in determining the outcome of the match. Dragons put the first point in the match as Centre Adam Hughes scored first of the six tries of the match for
Dragons.
In the next quarter, both teams fought for ball possession and tried their best to make inroads to each other’s half without any reward. After a relatively passive phase of play, Dragons Winger Aled Brew scored the second try for Dragons. Dragons’ fly half
Jason Tovey scored his first conversion of the match to take the score to 12 – 0.
Minutes later, substituted Full Back Ashley Smith who was coming off from a month old lay off due to shoulder injury scored third try of the half later followed by Tovey’s second conversion.
In the Injury time, Benetton Treviso was able to put their first point on score through their Fly Half Kris Burton scoring a penalty. At the end of the first half the scorecard read 19 – 3 in favour of Dragons.
When Benetton Treviso started the second half, there was a clear sense of urgency and intent behind. Just after 4 minutes, Treviso’s fly half Burton got a pass from the ruck and went through the Dragons duo of Wayne Evans and Jason Tovey to score maiden
try for Benetton Treviso. Burton then scored his only conversion of the game to reduce the lead to 9 points.
Burton missed another scoring opportunity in the 49th minute as he missed the penalty and later the Dragons simply denied them any scoring chance and consolidating on any scoring opportunity at offer. Dragons in span of two minutes have extended the lead
by 14 points. In the 66th minute, it was Aled Brew with his second try of the game followed by their Winger Will Harries try in the 68th minute. Both tries were followed by Centre Adam Hughes’ conversions.
Treviso leave the field with 13 men as Gonzalo Padro and Diego Vidal shown yellow card during the 75th and 80th minute respectively. Dragons alongside the points for winning a game, secured a bonus point for scoring 4 or more tries, they score a total of
six tries in the game.
Dragons have four more matches to play. This includes the matches against the Ospreys, Edinburgh, Cardiff Blues and Ulster respectively. Upsets are not bound to happen every day and except the Edinburgh game, Dragons will make the headlines winning against
any of other teams mentioned.
Furthermore, the absence of Wales Lock Luke Charteris from Dragons line-up due to possible rib injury will definitely affect their play in the defence.
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