Dragons end Cardiff's home win record

Cardiff 13 Newport 25

Newport Dragons claimed their first away victory in the Celtic League tonight, ending Cardiff’s 100% record at the Arms Park.

The Blues also lost scrum-half Ryan Powell and winger Lee Abdul with leg injuries and left the field knowing things might have been even worse if visiting fly-half Craig Warlow had brought his kicking boots.

The Dragons took the lead after just three minutes when former Cardiff scrum-half Gareth Baber sold a dummy before feeding Sione Tuipulotu for the Tongan full-back to slide over.

Warlow missed the conversion but slotted over a penalty before the Blues hit back with a similar kick by opposite number Nicky Robinson, followed by a well-worked try.

A line-out drive gained 20 yards before play was spread right – and even though centre Jamie Robinson dropped the ball, it went backwards and the move was allowed to continue.

Good work from wing Craig Morgan, coming into the line, enabled Donavan Van Vuuren to set up Abdul – a late replacement for flu victim Matt Allen – for his sixth try of the season.

But in first half injury time a raid from a scrum saw centre Hal Luscombe stretch over for the Dragons.

The visitors extended their lead when Tuipulotu crashed in for his second soon after the restart, Warlow this time converting.

The two captains were spoken to by Scottish referee Gregg Davies over the behaviour of their packs, and Nicky Robinson revived Blues’ hopes with a superbly struck penalty.

But the Dragons had the last laugh, acting captain Jason Forster forcing his way over in the corner to secure his team a bonus point.

The final word lay with referee Davies.

After an injury-time scrum broke up, he handed opposing props John Yapp and Chris Anthony yellow cards.