Newport make life difficult for Perpignan

Perpignan 23 Newport Gwent Dragons 19

Newport Gwent Dragons scored a late try to earn a surprise bonus point in their 23-19 defeat away to Perpignan in Pool One of the Heineken Cup tonight.

Ceri Sweeney followed up tries by Joe Bearman and Gareth Wyatt as the Welsh region out-scored their hosts three tries to two at Stade Aime Giral.

But the boot of Cedric Rosalen proved the difference as the 2003 cup finalists held on for victory on the opening night of this season’s competition.

Newport made their return to the Cup after failing to qualify last season and were handed a daunting opening tie at Perpignan, who boast one of the best home records in the competition.

Yet it was the Dragons who were first to find their way over the line through experienced wing Gareth Wyatt in the 13th minute.

Rosalen had kicked a penalty for Perpignan.

But full-back Jerome Perical then failed to collect Richard Mustoe’s speculative kick up field, and Wyatt pounced to hand the Dragons a 5-3 lead which Ceri Sweeney failed to extend with the conversion.

Perpignan took the most direct route to strike back within five minutes with a try for Guilhem Guirado. The hooker barged over close to the posts, after Rimas Alvarez Kairelis supported Gavin Hume’s initial break.

Rosalen added the conversion – but only after the game had been delayed for almost 10 minutes as Dragons flanker Dan Lydiate was carried off following extensive treatment on the pitch, injured during the build-up to Perpignan’s try.

Two more penalties from the reliable boot of Rosalen handed Perpignan a 16-5 lead at the break – but again it was the Dragons who started brightest in the second half.

Wales veteran Colin Charvis put them on the front foot; scrum-half Andy Williams kept the attack moving before Lydiate’s replacement Bearman stormed over on 50 minutes.

Sweeney’s conversion reduced the deficit to four points as the Welsh region threatened a remarkable comeback, with Perpignan short of confidence following a losing start to the French Championship campaign.

But as the Dragons grew in belief, Perpignan’s summer signing Henry Tuilagi delivered a timely boost, the giant Samoan number eight smashing through the Welsh defence on the hour to re-establish an 11-point lead.

Indiscipline then cost Perpignan as Scotland star Nathan Hines was singled out when Irish referee Alan Lewis lost patience with his team’s indiscretions and flashed the yellow card for an infringement at a ruck on 68 minutes.

That saw the momentum swing back as the Dragons forwards made the most of their extra man to seal a valuable bonus point, via Sweeney.