Dragons (3) 10 |
Attempt: Baldwin Con: Reed Pens: Evans |
Bulls (10) 31 |
Tries: Arendse, Williams, Papier, Grobbelaar Cons: Smith 4 Pen: Smith |
World Cup winner Willie Le Roux impressed Bulls to a hard-earned victory that despatched Dragons backside of the United Rugby Championship (URC).
The Springboks full-back arrange tries in both half for Kurt-Lee Arendse and Mpilo Gumede in a person of the match show at Rodney Parade.
Corey Baldwin capped a gutsy show by the hosts with a late strive.
However Embrose Papier crossed earlier than hooker Johan Grobbelaar claimed an 81st-minute bonus level for Bulls.
The late bonus ensured Bulls stay second within the URC behind leaders Leinster whereas Dragons are actually backside following Sharks’ earlier victory over Ulster.
Nonetheless, the scoreline was exhausting on Dragons who produced a show filled with character towards one of many title favourites, although little innovative.
Erstwhile Wales prop Rhodri Jones made his one hundred and fiftieth league look alongside hooker Brodie Coughlan, whose membership debut lasted simply 24 minutes earlier than a head harm.
By then Cai Evans had traded penalties with Chris Smith because the hosts made a energetic begin.
Will Reed received his physique beneath Mpilo Gumede to disclaim the Bulls flanker a rating however his useless yellow card on 26 minutes left the Dragons short-staffed to stop the sport’s opening strive.
It took a bounce of the ball to wrong-foot the Dragons defence however Smith and Willie Le Roux mixed for Arendse to hurry over for a 10-3 half-time lead.
Le Roux was once more the creator for the Bulls’ second quickly after the break with a wonderfully weighted cross-field kick to Devon Williams that left Gumede with a straightforward end.
Trailing 17-3, Dai Flanagan turned to Aaron Wainwright to offer a elevate whereas Ben Carter returned for his first look since November following a critical hamstring harm.
Wainwright carried exhausting and Carter stole possession on the lineout as Dragons pissed off the guests for a lot of the second half till Papier crossed 5 minutes from time.
Dragons have been lastly rewarded moments later when wing Baldwin gained the race to Steff Hughes’ sensible kick.
However Elliot Dee conceded a late penalty from the restart that ended with reverse quantity Grobbelaar ending a devastating Bulls lineout drive for the bonus level.
Dragons: Cai Evans; Ewan Rosser, Joe Westwood, Steff Hughes (capt), Corey Baldwin; Will Reed, Rhodri Williams; Rhodri Jones, Brodie Coghlan, Chris Coleman, Matthew Screech, George Nott, Dan Lydiate, Sean Lonsdale, Taine Basham.
Replacements: Elliot Dee, Rodrigo Martinez, Luke Yendle, Ben Carter, Harri Keddie, Aaron Wainwright, Dane Blacker, Jared Rosser.
Sin bin: Reed (26)
Bulls: Willie Le Roux, Sebastian De Klerk, Canan Moodie, Harold Vorster, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Chris Smith, Zak Burger; Marcell Coetzee, Mpilo Gumede, Marco Van Staden, Ruan Nortje, Ruan Vermaak, Wilco Louw, Jan Hendrik Wessels, Gerhard Steenekamp
Replacements: Johan Grobbelaar, Simphiwe Matanzin, Mornay Smith, Reinhardt Ludwig, Nizaam Carr, Embrose Papier, Johan Goosen, Devon Williams
Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)
Assistant referees: Ben Breakspear & Elgan Williams (WRU)
TMO: Mark Patton (IRFU)