Warren seals dramatic late win for Dragons

Adam Warren’s late try sealed a remarkable 25-18 Guinness PRO14 derby win over Ospreys at Rodney Parade. Dean Ryan’s team led 10-8 at half-time after prop Leon Brown responded to a try by his Wales teammate George North.

The Ospreys got their noses in front through young centre Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler early in the second half – and looked set to win for the first time since October. However, wing Rio Dyer crossed in the 76th minute and was swiftly followed over by replacement centre Warren to claim victory for the hosts.

The Dragons had the first chance to get on the scoreboard but fly-half Sam Davies wasted a chance to put the boot into his old side when he struck the right post with an eighth-minute penalty in front of the posts. They were made to pay when Ospreys struck after 19 minutes through wing North, on his first appearance since suffering a hamstring injury in Wales’ World Cup semi-final loss to South Africa.

The visitors broke away into the 22 and centre Scott Williams calmly found his unmarked Test teammate with a clever kick to the right. Luke Price missed the conversion but then traded penalties with Davies to make it 8-3 after 26 minutes.

However, the Dragons went into half-time with a 10-8 lead thanks to a stunning score by Wales tighthead Brown. He was put clear by an inside pass by hooker Elliot Dee and showed terrific speed to race over from 30 metres for a try than Davies converted for 10-8.

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The Dragons turned their two-point lead into a five-point advantage through Davies four minutes into the second half only to allow Price to respond with a penalty straight from the restart.

The west Walians regained the lead when centre Thomas-Wheeler danced under the posts after the forwards had hammered at the line, the conversion making it 18-13, and number eight Morgan Morris was held up over the line as the pressure continued from the visitors.

Price missed a tricky chance to put the Ospreys a score clear from the tee and that proved vital when it was level-pegging after 76 minutes. The Dragons hammered at the line before it was flung wide for Sam Davies to find Dyer with a kick, the winger finishing superbly.

It got better for the hosts with a pair of hacked on kicks allowing centre Warren to win the race and steal the spoils.

– Press Association 

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