By Llewellyn ap Iorwerth
January 13 2007

Newport Gwent Dragons fired themselves up for European Challenge Cup success at Rodney Parade. The Dragons take four points and Bristol one from the 17 - 11 home win. This leaves the sides tied on 20 points at the top of their Pool. The match began with the now traditional driving rain and strong wind. Unusually, Bristol started with the wind behind them but, more normally, with a surging run by Alfie To’oala. A lineout to Bristol won by Roy Winters led to a Bristol penalty (presumably for pulling down) which David Hill sent to touch. However, Bristol’s recent lineout problems reoccurred and possession went the way of Newport. Craig Morgan fielded the kick superbly, fed to Hill who cleared the danger. Bristol then won the lineout, with both sides appearing to be struggling on their own throw, and went through a few untidy phases. Eventually, a scrum was awarded to the visitors as play broke down. Bristol broke down the middle of the field only to be halted by some fine talking on Sam Cox.

Newport then launched a lovely cross-field kick which bounced clear over Morgan who was caught totally wrong-footed and the ball was gratefully seized by the Dragon’s winger Wyatt who romped over for a try easily converted by Sweeney to make it 7 – 0. Almost immediately Newport gave away a penalty chance and Hill nailed the tricky shot to narrow the gap to 7 – 3. Newport attempted the riposte but Bristol expertly slowed the recycling of possession and eventually the error came as Sweeney sent a kick out on the full. Bristol went over to the attack and Dan Ward-Smith made an eye-catching break, the ball made its way out to Lee Robinson only for Bristol to give away a penalty at the breakdown. Dragons launched a high ball that was well taken by Robinson but then poorly kicked by Morgan. Fortunately, Sweeney was even worse with his response and again kicked out on the full. Bristol attempted to make same ground and Hill let fly with a fine kick from well inside the Bristol half down into the Newport 22. Bristol were awarded a free-kick but failed to make much of it and Newport were able to hit back from a free-kick of their own. Yet another free-kick went the way of Bristol who ran a promising attack which came to naught as forwards Darren Crompton and Matt Salter crossed. Bristol then came close with the familiar cross-field kick ploy which David Lemi just failed to get a hold of.

Untidy play followed and from a clear forward pass Lemi thought he had touched down in the corner. Bristol though still had the territorial advantage and soon won a lineout and made further inroads into the Newport defence. The Dragons defended well despite the near constant pressure and ultimately they turned over the Bristol ball as Josh Taumalolo lay injured on the ground. The scrum was awarded to Newport and they gained a penalty which was quickly taken by Charvis. The Bristol defence held firm but Newport held onto the ball and gradually gained ground. Bristol conceded the penalty, for offside, right in front of the posts and it was duly struck by Sweeney to restore the gap to 10 – 3. Bristol mauled the ball back at Newport who attempted to force Bristol into touch. Bristol managed to get the ball out but an inconclusive kick duel resulted and Bristol were forced back and gave away a penalty at the lineout. The defence was aggressive and the ball was won back in a good forward effort. Ward-Smith made a fantastic break that threw a degree of panic into the Newport ranks. Sadly Bristol were unable to capitalise on the effort. A lineout went Bristol’s way and the forwards kept the ball tight in a well-executed rolling maul. The Dragons had no legitimate answer to this tactic and were penalised for pulling the maul down. So, just before half-time, the penalty was dispatched with aplomb and Bristol had edged closer at 10 – 6.

Bristol commenced the second half by winning a penalty which they took quickly. Newport turned it over and hammered the ball down field. Morgan looked to have knocked on; certainly the partisan crowd thought so, but he played to the (non)whistle and managed to tidy up. To the Dragons’ supporters further frustration Bristol then won a penalty which was moved on quickly and gave Hill the chance to send a lovely kick across to the right touchline. Robinson gathered the ball and beat the last defender on the outside to score a typical try. The conversion attempt was missed as two Newport players charged before Hill had even started his run up. Still, 10 – 11 to Bristol with just three minutes of the half gone. Bristol now defended well as Newport tried to get back in front in what was always likely to be a tight game. A penalty went to Bristol and the forwards drove on from the lineout. Winters made a god break and was well supported by Ward-Smith. Bristol stove to break through and Newport gave away a penalty for Hill to send into touch. Another penalty to Bristol at the lineout and again the kick was to touch. Possession was secured and the pack drove, gaining a few metres. The ball went to Hill who made a half break and the forwards tried to win quick ball at the breakdown just five metres or so out. Disappointingly Bristol knocked on when a try looked on the cards. At the scrum Bristol were penalised and Newport were able to breath easier. Indeed they were able to put Bristol under pressure and a fortunate kick bounced cruelly away from the indecisive Robinson to allow Newport to regain possession inside the Bristol 22. With the cover in disarray the Dragons kept control of the ball and Emerick was able to cut through the tissue-paper defence to score a try that was converted by Sweeney and take the home side ahead at 17 – 11.

As Bristol strove to get back on terms Newport knocked the ball on. Ward-Smith made another excellent break and the defending side was penalised. The ball went to touch and Winters won the ensuing lineout. The forwards nudged on and controlled possession however when the ball went out to Hill he knocked forward and permitted Newport to clear the danger. A scrappy period of play followed with Bristol making a series of largely unforced errors. Robinson made a decent break and the ball made its way out to Lemi whose kick was just too strong and it went out of play. Bristol continued to attack and Hill, orchestrating a midfield move, was dangerously tackled very late. Despite the award of a penalty, the immediate signal of foul play by the touch judge and a lecture from the referee no card was awarded. Jason Strange came on for the nasally haemorrhaging Hill. Bristol’s forwards elected to keep control of the ball and ate up the territory but then lost possession when the ball went wide. Newport were able to seize the chance and kicked back down field. Surprisingly Hill was now back on at fullback as Bristol gave away a penalty when Gareth Llewellyn took the law into his own fists. Newport rightly went for the posts but Sweeney was wide with his effort. Newport were now in control of possession as the clock ticked down. Another penalty went their way and this time they used up more time and gained territory by going for touch. Bristol though defended well and won the turnover and got the ball out to Strange who, unexpectedly, stepped through the tackles. Eventually Bristol came away with a penalty but Strange did not make touch with his kick. Another penalty went to Bristol and this time Strange made no mistake making touch near halfway. The lineout was won and as the ball went clear Robinson, frustratingly, knocked it on. Newport took their time setting the scrum. Both teams knew that time was nearly up and the Dragons very professionally kept the ball out of Bristol hands until the referee blew for full time.

A disappointing result for Bristol who had the balance of both territory and possession. Newport, on the other hand, made the most of their opportunities and came away with points when in scoring position. Bristol, despite getting into the right areas of the field, too often made errors and lacked a cutting edge in midfield. Defensively Bristol were generally competent, but the coaches will be unhappy with manner in which Newport’s two tries came. Qualification from the group is still likely, but Bristol now need to do something they have found difficult in the past: comprehensively thrash opponents who are considered much weaker.