Harries the hero for super Dragons - Match report Saracens 22 Dragons 23 (From Campaign Series)

Harries the hero for super Dragons - Match report Saracens 22 Dragons 23

11:12am Monday 8th February 2010

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(4)

THE Newport Gwent Dragons secured a famous victory over Saracens at Watford’s Vicarage Road – their first away win the LV=Cup – with a typically dogged performance.

Two superb tries by man of the match, wing Will Harries, who is fast making a name for himself, paved the way to success.

The Dragons’ victory didn’t knock Saracens out of the cup and they face an away semi-final at Northampton thanks to a losing bonus point.

Cardiff Blues will entertain Gloucester in the other semi-final clash.

Sarries started well enough when outside-half Glen Jackson kicked them into a 6-0 lead with two penalties in the opening minutes.

But Harries, who tormented Shane Williams in the win over the Ospreys last week, put the Dragons right back into it with a magical try.

A great pass by skipper Ashley Smith from a ruck unleashed Harries down the wing just inside the Dragons half and he stepped inside and then outside the Saracens cover defence. Tovey’s conversion put them ahead.

But they didn’t have their noses in front for long after Jackson kicked his third penalty after 20 minutes.

But opposite number Jason Tovey showed that whatever Jackson could do, he could too after he kicked an excellent long range penalty.

Jackson hit back again, making no mistake with three points kicked in front of the posts.

But it was Tovey who had the last word, again putting the Dragons into the lead with another fine long-range penalty, the last action of the first 40 minutes.

A blistering run by impressive full-back Martyn Thomas opened up the Saracens defence early in the second half but his pass didn’t find Harries.

But Harries again showed his class in scoring his second try after the Dragons capitalised on a Saracens turn over.

A lovely pick up by lock Adam Jones led to centre Smith putting a finely weighted grubber with Harries winning the race.

Tovey’s fine conversion made it 20-12.

Derick Hougaard made an immediate impact as a replacement for Jackson with a drop goal.

And Tovey went from hero to villain when his clearance kick from an aimless Hougaard punt was charged down by home full-back Chris Wyles who gathered and scored to put them on equal terms. Hougaard’s conversion made it 22-20.

Tovey again made up for his mistake when he coolly dropped goal in the 60th minute put the Dragons ahead and take his personal tally to 13 points.

Saracens had a series of penalty and drop goal attempts to seal the game but they all sailed wide and the Dragons held on for a memorable win.

Saracens: C Wyles, R Haughton (J Short 58), R Penney, A Powell, M Tagicakibau, G Jackson (D Hougaard 50), J Marshall (N de Kock 49), K Lealamanua, S Brits (E Reynecke 63), R Skuse, H Smith, M Botha, W van Heerden (capt), E Joubert, J Burger.

Replacements:, A Brown, C Nieto, T Ryder, A Saull.

Scorers: Try - C Wyles, Penalties – G Jackson (4), Drop goal – D Hougaard, Conversion - Hougaard Newport Gwent Dragons: M Thomas, W Harries, M Watkins, A Smith (capt), R Fussell (A Brew 71), J Tovey, W Evans (J Leadbeater 60), H Gustafson, S Jones (D Goodfield 54), B Castle (P Palmer 60), A Jones, R Sidoli (H MacDonald 65), D Lydiate, G Webb, G Thomas.

Replacements: A Coundley, L Evans, J Arlidge.

Scorers: Try – W Harries (2), Penalties – J Tovey (2), Drop goal - Tovey, Conversions – Tovey (2).

Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU) Argus star man: Will Harries

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(4)