URC: Dragons stun Ospreys at the death to win 23-21

The Rodney Parade club made a big statement at the start of the campaign against the Welsh Shield holders and play-off quarter-finalists.

It looked like they would make a pointless start when trailing 21-13 and reduced to 14 men in the final quarter.

But they stayed in the fight and reaped the rewards for strong defence – they struck to win for the first time on opening weekend since Ulster were turned over in 2013.

The Ospreys led 16-13 at half-time with centre Keiran Williams going over for the visitors and flanker Harri Keddie responding with an delightful team try.

The Dragons had greedily gone for a second five-pointer with the final play of the half rather than levelling things up and the visitors stretched their lead soon after the restart through wing Ryan Conbeer.

That looked to be the key score, especially when James Benjamin was sin-binned after the offence racked up.

The Ospreys failed to land the killer blow and, after Wales hooker Dewi Lake had blown a kiss to the terrace when replaced, it was the Dragons supporters that were smiling at the final whistle.

Lloyd Evans kicked them to within striking distance and then the heavy mob hammered away at the line for replacement tighthead Yendle to power over.

Joy, but still work to do.

Thankfully Evans made no mistake from in front of the posts and the Dragons had upset the odds.

It ensured they make a perfect start to a vital first block of the URC, taking the pressure off ahead of the trip to Leinster that is followed by home games against the Lions, Sharks and Benetton.

SCUFFLE: The Dragons and Ospreys battled at Rodney Parade (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)

The Dragons were gifted an early settler with just 20 seconds on the clock when an offside allowed debutant Lloyd Evans to knock over a penalty.

However, the fly-half was guilty over overplaying to give opposite number Dan Edwards a chance for a leveller that he took in the eighth minute after the hosts entered a ruck from the side.

The Ospreys had a chance to get their noses in front from the tee in the 16th minute but turned down the chance of three points to hunt five or seven.

They kicked to the corner twice but the Dragons defended their line impressively to escape, which made what happened in the 20th minute all the more frustrating.

Overexuberance at the breakdown allowed the Ospreys to kick to just outside the 22 and they struck with a well-crafted strike play with wing Luke Morgan dashing through a big hole between hooker Brodie Coghlan and Evans before putting Williams over.

Edwards converted to make it 10-3 but Evans swiftly slotted his second penalty to cut the gap to four points.

The Dragons then got their noses back in front with a cracking score that will be on the shortlist for try of the season thanks to the sharp handling.

Full-back Angus O’Brien flung the ball to the right for wing Rio Dyer to trade passes with centre Aneurin Owen before the ball was taken on by scrum-half Dane Blacker and flanker Ryan Woodman before lock Matthew Screech put flanker Keddie over with a terrific offload.

Evans added the extras to make it 13-10 approaching the half hour but then took out his opposite number when trying to charge down a chip and Edwards levelled in the 34th minute.

The Ospreys had tried to muscle their way over in the early exchanges but were happy to keep the scoreboard ticking as half-time approach, with a high tackle by Leon Brown punished as Edwards made it 16-13 to the visitors.

The Dragons could have levelled with the last kick of the half but instead opted to go for the 22 with a penalty.

HIT: Brodie Coghlan in defence for the Dragons (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)

A move crafted in Treforest and Ystrad Mynach worked hooker Brodie Coghlan in down the right but the youngster lacked a little composure and tried to run over the last man.

He was bundled towards touch, flung an offload and tighthead Brown had nowhere to go and was pushed over the line.

The Ospreys were close to striking in that same corner soon after the restart when Evans shanked a left-footed clearance and a counter ended with Williams charging over.

However, Joe Westwood got under his fellow centre and, with the assistance of wing Jared Rosser, held up the strong-running back over the line.

Sadly, Westwood then missed a tackle on Jack Walsh and the full-back raced clear to put over wing Conbeer for a debut try in the 45th minute.

Edwards missed the conversion and Evans also failed from the tee in the 50th minute with a chance to get the Dragons back within a score.

It remained that scoreline entering the final quarter with the home side hindered by a high penalty count that led to a team warning to captain Ben Carter from novice Welsh ref Ben Breakspear.

The Dragons blew a chance to strike when Shane Lewis-Hughes galloped down the left and failed to give the ball to the waiting speedster Jared Rosser and the attack was ended by the Ospreys.

That proved to be key with the hosts reduced to 14 men after replacement hooker James Benjamin was a victim of the high penalty count with a yellow card.

The Ospreys went for the kill but the Dragons held firm in their 22, but they needed to be at the other end as the clock ticked along.

They escaped and were able to put the pressure on with an Angus O’Brien cross-kick, with penalty advantage, just eluding Dyer before a five-metre lineout was overthrown.

The Dragons did get within striking distance with three minutes to go through Evans’ right boot but they failed to gather the restart.

Once again the Ospreys failed to kill them off and they were to pay the price as Dai Flanagan’s men made a dream start on home soil, hammering away before Yendle inched over and Evans added the extras.

Dragons: O’Brien; Dyer, Westwood (Wilson 52), Owen, J Rosser; L Evans, Blacker (R Williams 52); Martinez (R Jones 60), Coghlan (Benjamin 60), Brown (Yendle 61), Screech (Nott 64), Carter (captain), Woodman (Lydiate 64), Keddie (Coghlan 72), Lewis-Hughes.

Scorers: tries – Keddie, Yendle; conversions – Evans (2); penalties – Evans (3).

Ospreys scorers: tries – K Williams, Conbeer; conversions – Edwards (2); penalties – Edwards (2).

Referee: Ben Breakspear (Wales).

Attendance: 5,181.