DRAGONS DEFEATED IN WORST GAME OF SEASON

Newport Gwent Dragons lost in a poor game against Llanelli Scarlets at Rodney Parade in the Magners League.

The West Walians can count themselves lucky that despite a poor display by them the Dragons were even worse. The Scarlets' clear advantage in the centre of midfield ultimately was the difference between the two sides.

Jonathon Davies and Sean Lamont exposed the Dragons' defence on a number of occasions with Matthew Watkins particularly vulnerable. Watkins missed a tackle on Davies who passed to Rhys Priestland to score the only try of the game in the first half. Other than that it was an even battle with the kickers exchanging penalties or field goals but with little or no creative play from either side.

Rhys Priestland put the Scarlets five points ahead with a fine key from the touchline with fifteen minutes to play. As it to confirm the point about creativity the Dragons battered away for over five minutes right at the end in an attempt to cross the Scarlets line with in excess of thirty phases of play in which they moved the Scarlets defence little more than eight metres.

Unfortunately, they were held up over the Llanelli line and Pontyberem referee Nigel Owens had no hesitation in blowing his whistle for no-side. It was a pulsating end to a drab encounter.

Newport Gwent Dragons 9 Llanelli Scarlets 14.