NEWPORT Gwent Dragons’ Magners League play-off hopes were dashed when they fell to their seventh successive defeat against their biggest rivals Cardiff Blues at a packed Rodney Parade last night.

The Dragons were undone by two tries in as many minutes in the final quarter, one by former outside half Ceri Sweeney after they led 8-3 at half-time in a contest which failed to live up to expectations.

It was a game too far for the Dragons who were missing far too many regulars and most of their strike players.

They showed all their customary spirit and doggedness for an hour, but ran out of steam, and the Blues have now boosted their chances of making the inaugural play-offs.

Dragons captain Tom Willis and opposing hooker Rhys Thomas were yellow carded after a brawl with ten minutes left and the Dragons’ misery was compounded when full back Martyn Thomas was carried off with a serious leg injury.

Two late James Arlidge penalties at least gave the Dragons a losing bonus point. Ben Blair was only just off target with an early penalty attempt from a yard inside his own half. But the Blues kept going, Jamie Roberts running straight through Will Harries and prop Scott Andrews charging on, though Wayne Evans managed to scramble the ball clear.

The Dragons made light of their early problems to take a seventh minute lead when James Arlidge landed a 40 yard wide angled penalty awarded for hands in the ruck.

That gave the Dragons’ confidence a lift and Andrew Coombs made some hard yards before Tom Riley booted the ball 40 yards downfield Sweeney led a spirited counter, but after some early sparkle the game had developed into a bit of a stalemate.

A howler by Leigh Halfpenny, putting the ball out on the full provided the Dragons with an opportunity, especially when Hoani MacDonald soared to win the line-out, but Arlidge’s chip was well covered.

The Dragons came again and scored a terrific try after 21 minutes. Full back Martyn Thomas put up a high kick which Harries gathered superbly and Riley swept away on an arcing run infield. When the ball was recycled Tom Willis and Ashley Smith handled, then Gavin Thomas caught and gave a pass brilliantly to put supporting prop Ben Castle over in the corner for his first try for the Dragons in his 10th appearance.

They threatened to get another after Rob Sidoli won a line-out, but Harries couldn’t take a difficult pass around his ankles with the line beckoning.

But the Blues hit back, Andy Powell and Roberts combining well after a turnover and when Gavin Thomas was caught offside Blair kicked the easy penalty.

But they suffered a blow when Powell limped off the field to a chorus of “Where’s your buggy gone” from the crowd under the Hazell Stand.

The Dragons regained the initiative, but Faletau slipped on the point of breaking through from a line-out, then a set move among the backs was held and finally Harries steamed across the line only to be recalled for a previous knock-on.

It was tight at half-time, the Dragons leading 8-3. Nigel Hall replaced Hugh Gustafson during the interval, his first appearance since October after a major knee operation.

The Blues began the second 40 in the same vein as the first – on the attack, Roberts knocking Riley flying, then the Dragons lost key centre Ashley Smith with a leg injury, replaced by Rhodri Gomer-Davies.

The Blues were getting on top, but the normally reliable Blair missed badly with successive penalty shots from comfortable range.

But he could hardly miss with a third attempt from bang in front to narrow the gap to two points in an increasingly tense battle.

Jamie Roberts was replaced by Gavin Evans and Lewis Evans took over from Faletau, but after a succession of wayward kicks by Arlidge the Dragons were finally undone by Sweeney of all people when his high kick bounced wickedly from a Dragons point of view and he regathered he ball to dash over at the posts for Blair to convert.

It quickly became a one-two when Halfpenny raced down the touchline and whipped the ball infield where replacement Evans gathered well and dashed around behind the posts for Blair to convert again.

Rival hookers Tom Willis and Rhys Thomas were yellow carded after a brawl and the Dragons suffered another serious blow when full back Martyn Thomas suffered a serious ankle injury and was stretchered off the field.

The Dragons revived and Arlidge kicked two penalties for a consolation losing bonus point.

Newport Gwent Dragons: M Thomas (A Hughes 70), W Harries, T Riley, A Smith (R Gomer-Davies 49), R Fussell, J Arlidge, W Evans, H Gustafson (N Hall 40), T Willis, captain), B Castle, R Sidoli, H MacDonald, A Coombs (L Burns 70-80), T Faletau (L Evans 57), G Thomas.

Scorers – try: B Castle; penalties: J Arlidge (3).

Cardiff Blues: B Blair, L Halfpenny, J Roberts (G Evans 56), D Hewitt, C Czekaj, C Sweeney, R Rees (L Williams 66), J Yapp, R Thomas (G Williams 70), S Andrews (T Filise 52), B Davies, P Tito, captain (D Jones 66), M Molitika, A Powell (A Pretorius 36), S Warburton.

Scorers -- tries: C Sweeney, G Evans; conversions: B Blair (2); penalties: Blair (2).

Referee: Peter Allan (Scotland).

Attendance: 8,108.

Argus star player: Gavin Thomas.