Dragons send Ulster packing
New signing Tonderai Chavhanga impressed his new team as the Newport Gwent Dragons proved too strong for Ulster.
Last Updated: 30/09/11 10:32pm
New signing Tonderai Chavhanga impressed his new team as the Newport Gwent Dragons proved too strong for Ulster.
The home side were good value for their 22-9 victory from their RaboDirect Pro 12 clash with Ulster at Rodney Parade.
A second victory of the season for the Dragons came as a try from Tom Riley and 14 points from the boot of Jason Tovey gave the Dragons a 19-6 lead at half-time.
Ulster could do nothing after the break to prevent a second successive loss after defeat by the Ospreys last weekend.
The Irishmen began well but had no answer in the second half and they head back over the irish Sea without even the comfort of a losing bonus point.
Penalties
Ulster fly-half Paddy Jackson put over an early penalty, but the Dragons replied straight away when outside-half Tovey booted the first of four penalties before the break.
Chavhanga, touted as one of the fastest wings around, showed why the Dragons had gone for him when he took a ball on the right just inside his own half and stormed 25 metres up the field before hoofing the ball forward. Ulster were lucky not to be penalised for a late tackle when the South African was pulled to the ground.
Ulster did not do themselves any favours either when centre Nevin Spence, a key player in their midfield, was sin-binned for a high tackle on the South African.
Within seconds, it led to the only try of the match when the Dragons worked their way to the Ulster 22, won a ruck and then saw scrum-half Wayne Evans feed Tovey who in turn passed for centre Riley to go through a gap left by Luke Marshall and Gilroy.
Tovey converted and, with two more penalties against one from Jackson before the break, the Welshmen were in the driving seat.
Lead
Another penalty after the interval from Tovey, taking his tally to 17, sent the Welshmen to a 22-6 lead.
Jackson booted his third penalty of the night to draw Ulster back to within 13 points but it was a hard slog even to get within kicking range for them.
It was Whitten who went closest to an Ulster try when the Irishmen produced their best move of the match, a multi-handling drive up the centre of the pitch before it was swung wide for Spence to put in Whitten.
The wing ran to the line and dived to put the ball over but Tovey grabbed his legs and, after consultation with the video referee, match official Neil Patterson disallowed the try.
It knocked the heart out of the Irishmen and invigorated the Dragons, who finished well and were worthy of the victory.
