Tries from Willem Nel and Matt Scott gave Edinburgh their first away victory of season, extending the Dragons miserable run of two wins in 11 games since the start of 2014. A late Ross Wardle try gave the Men of Gwent hope of snatching the victory but it was Edinburgh who moved three points above Dragons in the PRO12 standings.
Jason Tovey fired the Dragons into the lead after 14 minutes. The outside half beat the wet conditions to slot over from 40 metres after Edinburgh brought down a promising rolling maul.
Recalled Wales wing Hallam Amos had spurned a golden opportunity to put the Dragons in the lead after seven minutes. Veteran prop Duncan Bell fed Talupe Faletau who lifted an inside pass to Amos, the 19-year old broke clear and went for the corner, but the ball slipped out of his hands just four metres short.
Alan Solomons’ men scored with their first attack of the game through tight-head prop Nel. His South Africa countryman Andries Strauss was stopped short after making a break and Nel was on hand to crash over from the next ruck.
However, Tovey kept the Dragons in touch with a penalty straight from the kick-off, cutting Edinburgh’s half-time lead to 10-9. Lyn Jones’ men asserted their scrum dominance once again after the break which gave Tovey another penalty shot. The stand-off converted to reclaim the lead for his side.
Scott broke the tackle of Matthew Screech to score after 50 minutes. However, referee Leo Colgan seemed to trip Bell in the build up, stopping the 39-year-old reaching his man and making the tackle. After much deliberation, the video referee gave the try.
Cuthbert hit two more penalties before Wardle crashed over for the Dragons only try. Edinburgh were forced to defend with their lives to resist wave after wave of Dragons pressure in the last 10 minutes, but they held on to claim the win.
