THE theme of the Dragons against South Africa’s ‘big four’ in Newport continued when the Lions overcame their spirited, aggressive hosts to win 23-19 at Rodney Parade.
Dai Flanagan’s men produced a fourth determined and feisty display out of four in the United Rugby Championship, but it wasn’t enough to claim a statement win.
The visitors kicked a penalty at the end of the first half to snatch the lead 13-12 after the Dragons had crossed twice through a Harri Keddie interception and a powerful finish by his back-row colleague Taine Basham.
Basham went over again with a strong surge at the start of the second half only for the Lions to respond and lead 23-19 going into the final quarter.
The Dragons had the territorial dominance but were unable to put the South Africans’ defence under serious stress as the clock ticked down, and the visitors used their savviness to take the sting out of the game and make it to 80.
In the end the Rodney Parade club were thankful to emerge with a consolation losing bonus point after strong defence of the lineout drive, another theme of their season.
Defeat means that the Dragons still haven’t beaten one of the Lions, Sharks, Stormers or Bulls since they headed to Europe in 2021.
Just like the previous week against the Sharks when they conceded from the final play, this was a close one but the record is now played 17, lost 16, drawn one.
This has to go down as another missed opportunity with the Dragons having their chances in the 22 but lacking a killer touch.
As good as the back row was, games like this show the value of superstar Aaron Wainwright to give an extra edge.
The Dragons were forced into a change from their planned line-up when Jared Rosser was ruled out because of a tight groin, with his younger brother Ewan Rosser starting and Harry Wilson coming onto the bench.
The Lions showed their attacking enterprise in the early stages but the hosts countered with a superb strike play that saw Aneurin Owen put midfield partner Joe Westwood on the run from halfway, but the defence scrambled.
The South Africans struck first in the 11th minute when, after an Angus O’Brien clearance took an unfortunate bounce to go dead, their powerful scrum meant they could play with penalty advantage.
They charged into the 22 and the Dragons were going backwards and unable to defend with full-back Quan Horn cantering over for a try that fly-half Nico Steyn converted for a 7-0 lead.
However, it was level-pegging in the 16th minute when the Lions were looking threatening again but flanker Keddie picked off a Steyn pass and sprinted over from 70 metres, with Lloyd Evans adding the simple extras.
The Dragons pushed again and a line break by the impressive Owen led to desperate defence in the 22.
The Lions escaped but the TMO alerted referee Filippo Russo to hooker Franco Marais kicking the ball out of scrum-half Rhodri Williams’ hands at an earlier ruck.
He was shown yellow, the Dragons kicked to the 22, drove forward and then number eight Basham finished strongly after they had been stopped inches short.
Evans missed the conversion and then an early tackle by Basham allowed the Lions to cut the Dragons’ lead at 12-10 approaching the half hour.
The visitors turned that around in the final minute of the first half, winning a scrum penalty that was kicked to the 22 for pressure that led to prop Rodrigo Martinez somewhat harshly being pinged for not rolling away.
Steyn knocked over the penalty to give the Lions a slender advantage at 13-12 but the Dragons challenged that right from the off.
They burst into the 22 and won a penalty that was kicked to the corner for the pack to hammer away.
Strong carries by Matthew Screech, Ben Carter and Shane Lewis-Hughes were followed by a powerful burst and fine finish by Basham, Evans adding the simple conversion for a 19-13 lead.
A penalty by replacement fly-half Sanele Nohamba made it 19-16 with 50 minutes gone then he added the extras after flanker Jarod Cairns ran through the tackle of Angus O’Brien and Westwood.
At 23-19 down the Dragons needed to stay in the fight and not get too loose, with Flanagan turning to his bench with the introductions of centre Wilson, scrum-half Dane Blacker, props Cameron Jones and Chris Coleman plus back rower Ryan Woodman.
As has so often been the case in Newport in recent times, the game was in the balance entering the final quarter.
The Dragons were down by four but opted to kick a penalty at goal in the 69th minute, but replacement fly-half Will Reed hit the outside of the left post.
The Lions held onto their lead and then pushed for a clincher through their driving lineout at the death.
The Dragons won a turnover on their line and had one last shot at a miracle try from their own territory, but it never looked likely and they had to settle for a consolation bonus point.
Dragons: O’Brien, Dyer, Westwood (Wilson 52), Owen, E Rosser, L Evans (Reed 59), R Williams (Blacker 55); Martinez (C Jones 56), Coghlan (Burrows 61), Brown (Coleman 55), Carter (captain), Screech (Woodman 55), Lewis-Hughes, Keddie (Lydiate 69), Basham.
Scorers: tries – Keddie, Basham (2); conversions – L Evans (2).
Lions scorers: tries – Horn, Cairns; conversions – Steyn, Nohamba; penalties – Steyn (2), Nohamba (2).
Referee: Filippo Russo (Italy).
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