Dragons RFC saw another victory slip through their fingers when Ulster came from behind to snatch a 34-30 victory at Rodney Parade in the BKT United Rugby Championship.
The home side haven’t registered a league victory since the opening game of the season but looked on course to finally get over the line, but the visitors had other ideas and stormed home to leave the home fans scratching their heads on just how Filo Tiatia’s team didn’t come out on top.
Ulster had to dig deep to secure a rare bonus point victory. They trailed 24-14 at the break with the home side showing plenty of endeavour with young full back Huw Anderson again catching the eye with a try and crucial off-load in the first half to give Rhodri Williams a simple run in to put the home side in command at the break.
However, not for the first time, the Dragons were unable to put their foot on the opposition’s throat and Ulster staged a second half comeback to leave the home side reeling.
In the first half the Dragons certainly didn’t look like a side propping up the table. They gave the ball plenty of width in excellent playing conditions. Ulster also played their part in a frenetic first half which saw both sides reduced to 14 men with Rob Herring and Joe Westwood seeing yellow.
Herring returned from the naughty step to put his side back in the hunt just as the Dragons threatened to cut loose. From a well worked lineout maul, the hooker crashed over to give Ulster a sniff.
The Dragons scored a second try when Rhodri Williams’ well timed skip pass went to Anderson who diver over. Reed’s conversion put the home side 17-7 ahead.
The Dragons scored their third try when Anderson went through the Ulster midfield defence like a hot knife through butter to send Williams over. Will Reed’s conversion gave the Dragons a 10-point buffer at the break.
Herring grabbed his second try after the break and with Nathan Doak adding the extras, Ulster had closed to just three points.
Reed then added another penalty to give the Dragons some breathing space but Ulster stepped through the gears and momentum suddenly switched in their favour.
Reed took Ulster outside the one converted score mark with his third successful penalty of the game but replacement scrum half John Cooney reduced the arrears with a penalty from his 10m line to bring his side within six points of the Dragons.
Scott Wilson then rumbled his way over, Cooney’s conversion edging his side in front for the first time in the game. The scum half then sealed victory with the last kick of the game from in front of the posts.