Timely lift for Dragons

NEWPORT Gwent Dragons improved their lowly position in the Magners League with a scrambled 14-13 victory over the Blues at Rodney Parade.

Wales centre Ceri Sweeney put the Dragons ahead with a sixth-minute penalty, although the hosts had to withstand a fairly torrid opening during which an under-strength Blues side took the upper hand.

However, that changed after 14 minutes when scrum-half Gareth Cooper broke along the left flank, chipped ahead and duly punched the air with delight as Nathan Brew dived on the loose ball for a try Sweeney failed to convert.