Warriors win error-ridden clash

Celtic Warriors 19 Newport Gwent Dragons 12

Skill levels were of a low order in a Celtic League Welsh derby at Sardis Road as mistakes were paramount.

In a match littered with unforced handling errors, Warriors had most of the possession in addition to dominating territorially.

The only try of a dull encounter at Pontypridd was scored by a player drafted into the Warriors side shortly before kick-off, Tongan wing three-quarter Aisea Havili.

Neil Jenkins showed from the very beginning that it was the intention of Warriors to give the ball air.

He put centre Jonny Bryant into space and the acting captain sped away to breach the gain line.

But the opening scores had a familiar look about them with Jenkins slotting three penalties and his opposite number Craig Warlow two in reply.

Flanker Ryan Jones showed up well in a number of Warriors’ movements but the battle of the boot continued with Warlow putting over a long-distance drop goal to equalise the scores.

Possession was mostly in favour of the home side and 22 minutes had elapsed before Dragons could find a toehold within the opposition 22.

The visiting Dragons went down to 14 men for the statutory 10 minutes when former Wales lock Ian Gough was yellow-carded for an offence in the tackle area.

Warriors lost their hooker Matthew Rees with an eye injury and his place was taken by former England Under-21 player Chris Balshen.

Gough returned only to have his place in the sin-bin filled almost immediately by his skipper Andy Marinos.

Jenkins missed two kickable penalties and the interval arrived with the sides locked on 9-9.

Warlow kicked the Dragons into a three-point lead on the resumption but it was Warriors who continued to play most of the rugby.

Gareth Wyatt made a splendid run out of broken play and only defensive play of the highest order from Tongan Sione Tuipolotu kept him out.

At last the deadlock was broken with a try. The home forwards did their job and Havili took a pass from Alan Chiltern to go over unopposed. Jenkins added the conversion points to put his team back in front.

Only a fine tackle from Jamie Ringer prevented Havili from getting a second try shortly afterwards.

Warriors’ Emyr Lewis was the third player of the evening to be yellow-carded.

Realising that time was running out, the visitors began to throw the ball around but fell offside and Jenkins punished them as he widened the gap between the two sides with a penalty.

Dragons pressed hard in the closing stages but were kept out by some resolute defence.