Dragons celebrate derby success against Scarlets

Tries: Tuitavuki, Dee 2 , Martinez, Anderson, Hunt Cons: de Beer 3 , J Lloyd

Tries : Page 2 , S O'Connor, I Jones Cons: Costelow 3

Dragons secured a Welsh derby win in the United Rugby Championship (URC), beating Scarlets in a thrilling 10-try encounter at Rodney Parade.

Two tries from Wales hooker Elliot Dee,and further scores from wing Anzelo Tuitavuki, props Rodrigo Martinez and Rob Hunt and full-back Huw Anderson sealed the six-try success.

Scarlets responded with two tries from wing Macs Page and scores from replacements Sam O'Connor and Ioan Jones.

The match was played in front of a raucous crowd of 7,163 that created a memorable occasion in Newport.

Dragons are unbeaten, following up the opening weekend draw with Benetton, while Scarlets, who are missing influential injured back-row duo Taine Plumtree and Fletcher Anderson, have suffered two derby defeats, having also lost at home to Cardiff.

Scarlets score first as they lead at half-time

Wales fly-half Sam Costelow was among five personnel changes from the Scarlets team that lost 21-15 defeat to Cardiff, with Wales props Kemsley Mathias and Harri O'Connor, lock Alex Groves and flanker Dan Davis starting.

Dragons co-captain Ben Carter returned to lead the side that drew 19-19 with Benetton , but fellow skipper Angus O'Brien was still missing.

Dee, Hunt, and back-row duo Shane Lewis-Hughes and Harri Keddie were also included.

Scrum-half Rhodri Williams led the side out with his family on his 150th Dragons appearance against his former team, where he spent five seasons.

The two teams ran out to easily the most fervent atmosphere of a Welsh home match so far this season, with the fixture benefiting from its sunny Saturday afternoon kick-off time.

It was the away fans who were celebrating first as Page scored a superb solo try after drifting around the Dragons defence before collecting his own chip.

The hosts responded with a period of pressure that was rewarded with a first Dragons try for Tongan wing Tuitavuki.

This inspired the hosts as they kept up the pressure with a well-worked line-out between centre Aneurin Owen and flanker Thomas Young, which laid the platform for another attacking set-piece that yielded a driving try for Dee.

Scarlets scrum-half Dane Blacker sought to install some tempo in the visitors' play, and an attacking scrum allowed centre Eddie James to burst through the middle, before a long Costelow floated pass released Page to stroll in for his second.

Costelow converted as Scarlets led 14-12 at half-time.

Dragons dominate second half to seal win

Dragons struck straight after the break when wing Rio Dyer took the ball superbly from kick-off to put the hosts on the front foot.

After subtle build-up work from de Beer and Anderson, a searing Tuitavuki break was only halted by a brilliant tap tackle from Scarlets full-back Blair Murray, but Argentina prop Martinez followed up to cross, with de Beer converting.

Scarlets retaliated and, following another midfield charge from James, a perfect Page chip narrowly eluded Mee's hands as he lost possession over the Dragons line.

The home side brought on Wales props Rhodri Jones and Dillon Lewis as the duo forced a scrum penalty.

Scarlets replacement prop Sam O'Connor made his own early impression when he burrowed over for the third try.

Costelow's conversion regained the lead, but Scarlets put themselves under pressure with needless penalties from the kick-off.

Dragons flanker Young was held up over the line but it was Anderson who scored the bonus-point try in the right-hand corner to give the Dragons the advantage once more.

Dyer produced an excellent break, and Scarlets captain Josh Macleod could only stop the momentum with a professional foul that resulted in a yellow card.

The hosts took control with Dee driven over for his second score, which proved his final act before being replaced.

Scarlets, playing with 14 men, struck back quickly with a quick line-out before replacement Jones crossed for the bonus-point try.

Dragons gathered themselves and Hunt's final try sealed the success in what was a fourth try on the day for the home front-row.

Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia: "We had all the possession and territory in the first half but just weren't clinical enough.

"We were in control and needed to maximise the opportunities when they were on.

"I am proud of the group. We want to keep growing and keep going up the ladder."

Dragons: Anderson; Dyer, Inisi, Owen, Tuitavuki; de Beer, Williams; Martinez, Dee, Hunt, S Davies, Carter (capt), Lewis-Hughes, Young, Keddie.

Replacements: Coghlan, R Jones, Lewis, Woodman, Beddall, Hope, J Lloyd, Paea.

Scarlets: Murray; Mee, Roberts, James, Page; Costelow, Blacker; Mathias, Elias, H O'Connor, Groves, Lousi, Macleod (capt), D Davis, O Williams.

Replacements: McKee, S O'Connor, Hawley, W Evans, T Davies, G Davies, Hawkins, I Jones.

Assistant referees: Ben Whitehouse (WRU), Marcus Caudle (WRU)