Rate it!

2 votes

Cardiff Blues were twice forced to come from behind as they narrowly defeat Newport Gwent Dragons 21-19 at Rodney Parade.

The win, the Blues' first in three months, sees the visitors move level on points with the Dragons just above basement side, Connacht, in the Celtic League.

Shaun Connor opened the scoring for the Dragons before Ben Blair (pictured), having already missed a penalty chance in the 12th minute, levelled things just before the half-hour mark.

The Dragons snatched the lead back again though just before the interval when Richard Fussell capitalised on a defensive error to run 40 metres and touch down under the posts.

Connor added the penalty and although he and Blair traded penalties before the break, it was the Dragons who went in leading 13-6.

The Blues hit back almost immediately after the re-start though with Maama Molitika collecting a Jason Spice kick upfield and crossing over the line. Blair added the conversion to leave the scores all square.

Just four minutes later, though, Connor booted a 25m penalty to put the hosts back in the lead, and added to it with a fourth penalty.

But Ceri Sweeney got the Blues to within a point again, touching down after Spice found him from the back of the ruck.

Blair missed the conversion but quickly made up for it with a penalty just before the 70th minute to put his side in the lead for the first time.

The Dragons had three chances to snatch the win at the death as they worked their way in to drop goal range but both opportunities missed, as did Jason Tovey, who kicked wide from 30m right on the full-time whistle.

In the late Boxing Day match, Edinburgh eased to a comfortable 39-6 win over Scottish rivals Glasgow at Murrayfield.

Bonus-point earning tries from David Blair, Simon Webster and Hugo Southwell (two) did most of the damage for the hosts, while Phil Godman kicked five penalties and two conversions.

All Glasgow could muster in response were two penalties from Dan Parks.

Pippa Davis / Eurosport