United Rugby Championship: Dragons 24-29 Cardiff – Guests snatch last-gasp win

Corey Domachowski proved the unlikely match-winner after snatching a dramatic last-gasp victory at Rodney Parade.

Harrison Keddie had adopted Rio Dyer over the attempt line as Dragons got here again within the second half of a niggly derby.

However substitute prop Domachowski barged over 30 seconds from time, after two from Tomos Williams both facet of Josh Adams’ attempt, to sneak an exciting win.

Dragons had been sincere and gutsy with their show however that won’t soften the blow of this loss.

They’d a win of real which means of their arms however the knack of successful – and shedding – instructed in the long run as Cardiff had been rewarded for being daring and medical.

Evans kicked a penalty half the size of the sector to arrange an attacking lineout 5 metres out from which the large prop drove over.

Below Gatland’s gaze

Scrum-half Williams was excellent, as was again rwo Taulupe Faletau, as Cardiff climbed to fifth within the United Rugby Championship.

And they’ll take pleasure in these native bragging rights in entrance of latest Wales coach Warren Gatland, returning to the function.

Wales hopefuls Evans, Thomas Younger, Rhys Carre and Dragons wing Ashton Hewitt will all have given Gatland meals for thought.

Nonetheless, again Adams will likely be a fear after limping off injured and Dragons lock Will Rowlands confirmed earlier than kick-off he’ll miss the Six Nations.

Flanker Younger gave one other clever show, Carre scrummaged and carried properly to arrange a attempt, whereas Evans changed Rhys Priestland at 10 to arrange three extra tries.

Cardiff’s ending was the distinction as they led 14-11 at half-time towards the run of play with two tries in three minutes.

Dragons dominated the opening exchanges however didn’t capitalise.

Wing Hewitt was stuffed with operating, twice beating Owen Lane on the left touchline in addition to Adams, who was switched from wing to full-back with Liam Williams nonetheless per week from a return.

A feisty conflict began with Bradley Roberts, in his first Boxing Day derby, proven a yellow card for a petulant journey off the ball.

Dragons nonetheless managed to take a six-point lead by means of the boot of Hanrahan.

Ross Moriarty had some extent to show after lacking the autumn Take a look at collection and was within the thick of the motion each on and off the ball.

Nonetheless, his reverse quantity and Wales rival Faletau was one other class.

The quantity eight popped up seemingly in every single place as Cardiff lastly acquired their assault going after 33 minutes.

Prop Carre, one other seeking to rekindle his Take a look at ambitions, was additionally twice concerned, handing Williams the scoring move with a well-timed off-load.

Priestland limped off with an ankle damage however substitute Evans instantly kicked the conversion and was quickly including one other after organising a second attempt inside a minute.

His deft inside move to Lane opened house outdoors for Adams to the touch down for a 14-6 lead.

Dragons had been reeling however hit again earlier than half-time. Moriarty carried and Steff Hughes’ lofted move that was completed by Dyer out broad.

Cardiff responded on 51 minutes, Evans’ fast catch-and-pass opened house for Adams whose pleasant no-look left-foot kick put Williams in for a second.

Adams went off with a knee damage minutes later and Dragons slowly wrestled again momentum.

Hewitt’s kick-chase received a penalty and a well-worked Dragons lineout caught Cardiff napping and captain Keddie completed the drive.

Hanrahan transformed and added a 71st-minute penalty for a 22-21 lead just for Evans to arrange Cardiff’s late, late winner.

Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan:

“It is loads about perception with our group. We now have some actually good gamers and a variety of robust guys however they simply have to imagine extra that they’re that good.

“We dominated about 60 to 70 per cent of that recreation however there have been a couple of areas we must always have managed higher and 14 factors earlier than half-time killed us. It left us with a lot to do.

“This clearly hurts and we have to begin successful these video games and I am satisfied that we are going to if we begin believing how good we could be.”

Cardiff head coach Dai Younger:

“It was a tricky, bodily recreation and it is a robust place to play so we’re thrilled to go dwelling from an actual ding-dong Welsh derby with 5 factors.

“It got here right down to perseverance proper on the finish. It appeared a little bit of a mountain however we acquired an excellent turnover, a unbelievable kick from Jarrod after which we managed to recover from.

“There have been a variety of massive performances from a few of our prime gamers and that is what you anticipate from them. They’ll do issues that change video games.”

Dragons: Angus O’Brien; Rio Dyer, Steff Hughes, Jack Dixon, Ashton Hewitt; JJ Hanrahan, Rhodri Williams; Rhodri Jones, Bradley Roberts, Chris Coleman, Joe Davies, George Nott, Aaron Wainwright, Harri Keddie (capt), Ross Moriarty.

Replacements: Brodie Coghlan, Aki Seiuli, Lloyd Fairbrother, Matthew Screech, Sean Lonsdale, Lewis Jones, Sam Davies, Sio Tomkinson.

Cardiff: Josh Adams; Owen Lane, Rey Lee-Lo, Ben Thomas, Theo Cabango; Rhys Priestland, Tomos Williams; Rhys Carre, Liam Belcher, Dmitri Arhip, Lopeti Timani, Rory Thornton, Josh Turnbull (capt), Thomas Younger, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: Kirby Myhill, Corey Domachowski, Will Davies-King, Seb Davies, Ellis Jenkins, Lloyd Williams, Jarrod Evans, Mason Grady.

Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)

Assistant referees: Mike English (WRU), Aled Evans (WRU)

TMO: Sean Brickell (WRU)