Chavhanga try downs Blues
A late try from Tonderai Chavhanga handed the Dragons an 18-14 RaboDirect Pro12 victory over the Cardiff Blues at Rodney Parade.
Last Updated: 15/03/12 9:30pm
A late try from Tonderai Chavhanga handed the Dragons an 18-14 RaboDirect Pro12 victory over the Cardiff Blues at Rodney Parade.
The Blues' play-off ambitions took a blow after Chavanga's individual try on 72 minutes ultimately proved the difference between the teams on Thursday night.
All the points in the first period came in the opening 20 minutes with Jevon Groves going over for Dragons to go alongside a conversion and a penalty from Lewis Robling.
Tom James responded for the Blues with an unconverted try with Dan Parks adding three more from the boot.
Exciting
In the second half, Robling and Parks scored a penalty each before Ben Blair put Cardiff ahead, but Chavanga was the hero with his excellent late intervention.
Despite there being just two places between them at the start of the game, the teams were separated by 19 points. The Dragons have endured a disappointing year, winning just five of their RaboDirect Pro12 matches, and they fell behind when Parks slotted an early penalty.
But the hosts struck back immediately when a poor pass by Michael Paterson was pounced on by Groves, who touched down. Robling added the conversion and then a further three-pointer as Newport led 10-3 after 14 minutes.
In an exciting opening quarter, the visitors hit back when Andy Tuilagi was stripped in the tackle before the ball was eventually fed out to James to scamper clear.
Robling and Parks traded second half penalties before James had a try disallowed.
However, Cardiff went ahead soon after when Blair struck a three-pointer. But when Chavanga took the ball out on the left wing, he chipped over the top, used his blistering pace before collecting and touching down for a superb score.
