DRAGONS 34 – 14 ZEBRE
The say the best teams find a way to win ugly and that’s exactly how Dragons’ head coach Filo Tiatia described his side’s second win of the season and they ended the first block of BKT United Rugby Championship games with a morale-boosting, bonus-point win.
It was five tries to two in the end in favour of the home side who hoisted themselves up into the play-off places with another spirited home performance.
“It was an ugly win, but to come away with five points we have got to be pleased. We fronted up, which was good, and a lot of our young guys got exposed, so we are happy,” said Tiatia.
“I was happy for Brogan Leary, who came on for a debut as an 18-year-old, and his first carry was outstanding.
“Sam Scarfe played out of position, but he has got some of the skill sets that Thomas Young possesses. He hunts for the ball and is hard to move off it – I thought he was good when he came on.
“Then there was a first try in the URC for Cai Evans. He’s not so young, but I was still super proud for him.”
The Dragons were 14-0 ahead at the break thanks to tries from David Richards and Anzelo Tuitavuki. Tinus de Beer converted them both and then added the extras to a third try from Fine Inisi in the 55th minute as the home side extended their lead to 21-0.
To their credit, Zebre battled back as they attempted to win for the first time this season and Matteo Canali grabbed try in the 64th minute with Giacomo da Re improved. Evans replied with the bonus-point try for the Dragons, who also finished with a penalty try after Tobias Wade had bagged a second for the visitors.