CROWD HELP DRAGONS OVERCOME STAR STUDDED OSPREYS

Newport Gwent Dragons stormed to an impressive win over the Ospreys at Rodney Parade last night. Backed by a vibrant crowd the Newport based region raced in to a early lead after Will Harries gathered a neat chip from the outstanding Jason Tovey. Tovey added two penalties.

The Ospreys responded with a penalty from Biggar and reduced the deficit when James Hook cart-wheeled through weak tackles to score for the Ospreys 10 minutes before half time. The Dragons struck a hammer ball just before the interval when Matthew Watkins ran between two front row forwards and then side stepped Lee Byrne for a fine converted try.

The star-studded Ospreys were unable to make any headway in the second half and it was the NGD's who extended their lead when hard working wing Aled Brew took a neat pass from the excellent Wayne Evans to outstrip the defence and score with a leaping salmon routine. A late try from Walker and conversion from Hook reduced the margin to 28-20.

The only sour note was an ankle injury for Dan Lydiate, replaced by Newport captain Andrew Coombes. Lydiate is now out for the rest of the season with damaged ankle ligaments, although Aled Brew is expected to be fit again to face Glasgow in their next Magner's league clash.

Attendance - 6221.

GILROY LATE SHOW BRINGS EXILES VICTORY

Substitute Dave Gilroy brought a happy end to an uneventful game at Newport Stadium this afternoon. Gilroy's injury time goal meant County beat Woking 1-0 to regain some momentum after last week's defeat at Thurrock. His shot came after Woking conceded a late free kick.

The match was marked by little incident, Woking had some early opportunities, a Maledon shot was deflected on to County's post but the Exiles had the balance of possession and chances.

A Craig Reid shot found the net prior to half time but was given offside by the linesman. In the latter stages a Woking header hit the cross bar and Rose narrowly headed wide after a cross from Henry.

Gilory clinched all three point for County with a late winner, after manager Dean Holdsworth was said to have dished out some 'constructive criticism' at half time'.

The result leaves them on an impressive 91 points for the season, with five games left in the league.

Attendance - 1742.

DRAGONS SQUAD FOR OSPREYS

Paul Turner has announced his squad for the Dragons Magners League match against the Ospreys on Saturday (6:30pm)

Following their strong performances for the region against Connacht, Both Toby Faletau and Newport Captain Andrew Coombs have been retained for this match.

"We are well aware of the need to keep building for the future and this season we have tried to blood a few of our youngsters," said Turner. "Andrew’s selection came off the back of some outstanding performances for Newport both in terms of his playing and his leadership and Toby has shown maturity in the way he has played for us this season. Their involvement in tonight’s game is testament to the confidence we have in their abilities.

"We were obviously all disappointed with the result in Connacht last week but there were clear weaknesses in our performance which cost us the game. Despite that, I can’t fault the effort the players put in, although at this level, putting in 100% effort is not enough if you can’t keep the errors out of the game. Tonight we’ll be focussed on ball retention and being clinical – two of the main failings with our performance last week.

"The Ospreys are one of Europe’s on-form teams at the moment. Although they may have players out, the same was said of Munster before they came here and even with several internationals unavailable they were still able to boast a very strong side and the Ospreys will be the same. We need to be at our best to beat them."

Backs
Martyn Thomas, Richard Fussell, Aled Brew, Will Harries, Matthew Watkins, Ashley Smith, Tom Riley, James Arlidge, Jason Tovey, James Leadbeater Wayne Evans.

Forwards
Hugh Gustafson, Ben Castle, Pat Palmer, Tom Willis (Capt), Steve Jones, Rob Sidoli, Hoani Macdonald, Luke Charteris, Grant Webb, Danny Lydiate, Toby Faletau, Andrew Coombs, Gavin Thomas.

DRAGONS BEATEN IN CONNACHT

Newport Gwent Dragons were convincingly beaten by Connacht in Galway yesterday evening.

Connacht's Ian Keatley won the fly-half battle as the Magners League's basement side picked up a much-needed 16-3 win over the NGD's.

Keatley kicked three penalties and converted Fionn Carr's first-half try to extend Connacht's impressive unbeaten home run, which stretches back to September, and dent the Dragons' play-off hopes.

The under-strength Dragons were restricted to a first-half penalty from Jason Tovey.

Attendance - 2000.

DRAGONS SQUAD FOR CONNACHT

Newport Gwent Dragons Head Coach Paul Turner has announced a 25-man squad for the region’s Magners League clash with Connacht at the Sportsground on Wednesday (6:30pm)

There have been mixed fortunes at the Dragons this week in the injury stakes as the region looks ahead to the Magners League match.

Prop Nigel Hall who has been out since October returned to Premiership action at the weekend after recovering from shoulder surgery and back row Joe Bearman (groin) and scrum half Danny Lee (shoulder) are both progressing well following surgery.

However, the region has been dealt a double blow in the loss of Lewis Evans and Adam Jones. Jones will undergo surgery for a ruptured tendon in his hand next week and could miss the rest of the season whilst Evans has been pulled out with a suspected broken thumb which could see him sidelined for 4-6 weeks.

Hooker Duane Goodfield who damaged his knee ligaments in the Barbarians game last Tuesday is still a doubt and Welsh squad members Luke Charteris and Danny Lydiate are also unavailable.

Newport captain Andrew Coombs has been called to the squad and back row Toby Faletau has been released from the Welsh Under 20 squad for the match.

Dragons Head Coach Paul Turner said "Although these injuries are always frustrating, both for the players and coaching staff, we have players keen to step up for these games.

"As we have seen already this season in players such as Tom Riley and Will Harries, all of our squad members are ready to make the most of the opportunities they are given and I have no doubt that Andrew Coombs and Toby Faletau in particular will seize this chance with both hands."

Dragons Squad for Connacht:

Forwards
Ben Castle, Hugh Gustafson, Pat Palmer, Aaron Coundley, Tom Willis (capt.), Steve jones, Adam Brown , Rob Sidoli, Hoani Macdonald, Andrew Coombs, Grant Webb, Toby Faletau, Gavin Thomas.

Martyn Thomas, Richard Fussell, Will Harries, Aled Brew, Tom Riley, Mathew Watkins, Ashley Smith, Jason Tovey, James Arlidge, James Leadbeater, Wayne Evans.