Dragons miss out on top spot after loss

Neath-Swansea 26 Newport-Gwent 14

Newport-Gwent Dragons missed out on the opportunity to go top of the Celtic League as Neath-Swansea Ospreys ran in three tries at St Helen’s.

Nathan Bonner-Evans helped himself to a brace, while Gavin Henson kicked 11 points as the Ospreys recorded their third win in four matches following a run of 10 defeats.

But they were made to work hard for the victory, having to come back from an 11-8 deficit at half-time.

The Dragons made their intentions known after just two minutes when Percy Montgomery opened the scoring with a penalty after the Ospreys had gone offside following breaks by Peter Sidoli and Bobby Skinstad – in his full debut.

On five minutes, Henson levelled with a penalty which he kicked from 40 metres against the win.

The Dragons enjoyed a full 10 minutes of pressure in the home side’s 22, but Montgomery and Craig Warlow both missed drop-goal attempts.

The on their first visit to the Dragons danger area just before the half-hour, the Ospreys scored a try.

Flanker Steve Tandy broke from a line-out and Bonner-Evans was on hand to collect the ball and cross.

But the home side’s relief was short-lived, as within six minutes the score had been levelled at 8-8 when Dragons wing Ben Breeze went over on the left.

And before the break, Montgomery planted his second penalty to give the Dragons an 11-8 advantage at half-time.

The Ospreys gradually got their act together after the restart.

First Bonner-Evans claimed his second try from a forward rumble at a line-out and that was followed when Henson drilled a 50-metre penalty over.

The Dragons refused to lie down, though, and Montgomery brought the score to 16-14 with his third penalty.

But the Ospreys rallied in the final minutes, with Henson kicking a third penalty and Dave Tiueti going under the posts for the third try.