Dragons lose by two points at Rodney Parade versus Hartpury Uni

A team with 12 academy products in the starting line-up, played with plenty of pace and endeavour throughout against a well-drilled English outfit but just came up short in an entertaining encounter.

Scrum half Morgan Lloyd and wing Ewan Rosser (2) scored first-half tries as Hartpury opened up a 35-19 lead at the break.

Back came the Men of Gwent as tries from Evan Minto, Owen Conquer and Dane Blacker gave them the lead going into the final quarter.

But a late score from Ollie Holiday meant Hartpury edge a closely fought 12-try encounter.

Scrum half Lloyd opened the scoring, just moments after securing a penalty at the breakdown, as he sniped over from close range after an initial burst by Minto.

Hartpury hit back with a powerful driving maul sending back row Harry Short power over. Harry Bazalgette added the extras to level the scores.

The English side were denied a second score when Matty Ward was called back for a forward pass in the build-up.

However, the reprieve was only temporary as the resulting maul forced a penalty try for the visitors. Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths was yellow carded for collapsing the maul.

Dragons hit back as powerfully carrying from Aneurin Owen and midfield partner Joe Westwood pulled men in to allow Rosser to dot down out wide.

Hartpury scored a third – with Dragons still down to 14 men - when centre Robbie Smith intercepted a pass as he flew out of the line as the visitors defending in their own 22 and he had the pace to make the line for a 21-12 lead.

Huw Anderson was an early introduction, and the Wales Under-20 ace produced a peach of a pass out of the tackle with his first touch to send Rosser over for his second of the afternoon.

Aneurin Owen attacks (Image: Sean Alabaster/Huw Evans Agency)

The end-to-end nature of the game continued as visiting centre Jack Johnson scored under the posts before hooker Ethan Hunt went over for a 35-19 lead.

There was a flurry of changes at the break from the home side with Steve Cummins immediately prominent as the forwards crashed up and then back row Minto burrowed over after a quick tap.

Harry Wilson made his entrance just before the hour mark and more pressure saw Number Eight Owen Conquer mark his appearance with a bulldozing try after a driving maul was stopped short.

A superb turnover from Kobi Rees sparked a footrace from deep that Rosser was just second to before Dane Blacker stretched over to edge Dragons ahead after a strong carry from Steff Hughes.

Hartpury, though, struck late on as Holiday pounced on his own grubber kick ahead.

Dragons RFC: J Williams (W Price 62), E Rosser, J Westwood (H Wilson 52), A Owen (S Hughes 35), O Andrew (H Anderson 24), W Reed (H Ford 73), M Lloyd (D Blacker 40); D Kelleher-Griffiths (J Reynolds 40), B Coghlan (O Burrows 31 (S Scarfe 62)), L Yendle (C Coleman 40), J Davies (N Thomas 73), G Nott (S Cummins 40), G Young, E Minto (K Rees 56), Owen Conquer

Replacements not used: O James

Referee: A Jones

Attendance: 3,081 (tickets issued)