Blues 17-23 Dragons as it happened

1. Dragons win for only the second time in Cardiff since the inception of the regions in 2003
2. Dragons' Elliott Dee scores their first try, with a second penalty try for the visitors
3. Cardiff Blues have two tries from Tavis Knoyle and Jarrad Hoeata
4. Dragons full-back Tom Prydie kicks three penalties
5. The two sides meet again on 1 January at Rodney Parade

Thank you, and goodnight

So that's it from a dark and damp Cardiff Arms Park.

And remember, rugby derbies are like buses so there'll be another one along tomorrow when the Ospreys host the Scarlets at Liberty Stadium.

And if today's excitement for Blues and Dragons fans was not enough, the teams will do it all again at Rodney Parade on New Year's Day.

Owen Rawlings

We'll also be at our computers tomorrow for more mince pies and live text reporting - hope you can join us again.

Dragons fan's delight

Craig Sadler tweets us using #ScrumV:

"Hell of a win, hell of a performance @dragonsrugby looking forward to next week already #MerryChristmas"

Cardiff Blues captain Matthew Rees

Owen Rawlings

"There were way too many turnovers and our ball-in-play probably wasn't good enough. It was a poor performance on our behalf.

"There were a few harsh words in the dressing room."

Dragons' director of rugby Lyn Jones

"We adapted to the conditions and we brought our strength to the game. You have to have a power game in rugby union and you have to score at least one try from driving play. We thought if we got 10 points ahead we could hold off the Blues.

Owen Rawlings

"But we're very much aware it'll be a different challenge on 1 January when we meet them again."

Martyn Williams

Former Wales captain on Scrum V

It was a brilliant derby game. The conditions were very, very difficult but both sides tried to play.

The intensity was there and both sides were desperate to win.

But Dragons played fantastically well and deserved to win.

Blues 17-23 Dragons

The ebb and flow of that match had a lot to do with the strength of the Blues' bench which made a real difference in the second half.

Manoa Vosawai made a difference in the pack with Gareth Anscombe's dancing feet posing problems behind the scrum and Tavis Knoyle's more direct approach asking questions of the Dragons' defence.

The late penalty for Tom Prydie gave the Dragons a cushion which they did well to capitalise on.

Jonathan Davies

Former Wales fly-half on Scrum V

A big, big win for Dragons. I think everyone had written them off.

Man-of-the-match Rynard Landman

Dragons captain Rynard Landman: "The guts the boys showed out there, I'm very proud.

"We haven't won here for a long time. I'm very proud in the boys for believing in themselves.

Owen Rawlings

"We can start building momentum now with four wins in a row.

"Games like this are why we play the game."

What a corker

If that's what Christmas derby matches are all about then we can't wait for the Ospreys v Scarlets at the Liberty Stadium tomorrow.

Great excitement, great atmosphere and a great finish that no-one - even the Blues - could have seen coming.

Time for a festive cliche I think - it was a Christmas cracker!!

Praise for the Dragons #ScrumV

Abdullah Mahmood tweets: "Well deserved win for the Dragons, proper forward effort in the wind and the rain #ScrumV"

Owen Rawlings

Peter D adds "Great win for the Dragons".

Get involved

Adrian Hanks had emailed us: "Refreshing the highlights frantically on my phone hoping the Dragons can hang on."

They did, Adrian!

Full-time: Blues 17-23 Dragons

No one would have seen that chaotic finish coming early in the second half when the Dragons led 20-3.

Owen Rawlings

The Dragons ran out of steam but the Blues could not make them pay and the visitors hang on for their second ever win at Cardiff Arms Park.

Gareth Anscombe goes for touch and misses. Then the Dragons hoof it back down the park. It's breathless

Get involved

James Weekes writes: "Should be a tight finish to what was a one-sided match!! #ScrumV #BluesvDragons #teamblues"

Turnover

Blues turn it over. Is this their last chance?

Jonathan Davies

Former Wales fly-half on Scrum V

My man of the match is [Dragons captain] Rynard Landman.

He has been brilliant. He has done everything today.

Nearly there now

Minute and a half left. Dragons win the ball on half way.

Try for Dragons (Dorian Jones) disallowed

Huw Evans picture agency

Wait a second - they are going to the TMO to check for a knock on by Dorian Jones. After Jones runs in from 50 metres for what he thought was a try, they come back to half-way where the Dragons get a scrum.

Kick it, quick!!

Four minutes left as the Dragons hoof it down the park.

Penalty for Dragons (Prydie) Blues 17-23 Dragons

Owen Rawlings

And Tom Prydie kicks the goal to open a six point lead with less than six minutes remaining.

Dragons penalty

Owen Rawlings

Andrew Coombs is hurt as the game carries on around him. Then the Dragons win a penalty on the Blues' 22. Could this be the key moment of the match?

Blues on top

The Blues' bench has changed the complexion of the match completely. They are in control now with the Dragons hanging on.

Converted try for Blues - Blues 17-20 Dragons

Owen Rawlings

Tavis Knoyle dives over after Gareth Anscombe makes a break. The fly-half adds the extra points and now it's really all to play for.

Blues attack

The line out is a mess but the Blues keep on the pressure with Tavis Knoyle and Josh Turnbull to the fore.

Penalty for Blues

Owen Rawlings

Gareth Anscombe steps up after Phil Price is penalised for a high tackle on Josh Navidi. With 13 minutes to go this is a big call for the Blues. Go for goal or kick to touch? They kick to touch to set up an attacking lineout.

Martyn Williams

Former Wales captain on Scrum V

"The only concern for the Dragons fans now is they seem to have stopped playing. There's no need for them to be trying long-range drop-goals."

All to play for

There's 14 minutes to go. Can the Blues pull this out of the bag now. Macauley Cook comes on for Lou Reed in the Blues' second row.

Drop-goal miss

A Jason Tovey drop goal attempt from long range is nowhere near the mark. It's a bit more frantic from the Dragons now.

Converted Blues Try (Hoeata) Blues 10-20 Dragons

Owen Rawlings

Gareth Anscombe and Tavis Knoyle probe well to set up a Blues attack and Jarrad Hoeata dives over from close range to make life interesting. Gareth Anscombe converts. Game on now.

What you're telling us from around the world

A clutch of emails from around the world this Boxing Day:

"Watching the updates from sunny Orlando, from the Withers family."

From Paul Prosser: "I'm a Dragonian in Damman, Saudi Arabia - following on my new ZX81."

And Stephen Lapham says: "Watching from the Falkland Islands whilst making the turkey balti.. c'mon the Dragons!!"

The weather must be better for you than it is in a damp Cardiff

Evans exits

Lewis Evans departs as well after a superb hour's work. The number eight has been a huge influence in a dominant Dragons pack.

Dragons replacement

Huw Evans picture agency

Tyler Morgan of Dragons

Tyler Morgan's day is over, with Rhys Jones coming on at full-back with Tom Prydie moving into the centre.

Close call

Blues attack from an attacking lineout. If it's good enough for the Dragons then why not? Then Gavin Evans spills a miracle ball by Joaquim Tuculet five metres from the Blues' try line.

Wales assistant coach Rob Howley

Former Wales scrum-half Rob Howley on Dragons' first try-scorer, Elliott Dee.

"Their driving lineout is going well and the hooker plays an important part.

Huw Evans picture agency

"The foundation of Welsh rugby is based on young talent."

Replacement

Tavis Knoyle on in place of Lewis Jones for the Blues at scrum-half.

Moody Blues

The gloom is descending on the Arms Park and is matched by the subdued home crowd who are being out-shouted by the Dragons' fans.

Driving the way

The Blues have to do something quickly. The Dragons' driving maul is proving a hugely effective weapon. It's difficult to see how the Dragons can be denied their second ever win at the Arms Park if this carries on.

Get involved

Mark Welland has emailed us from across the border: "I'm having to watch it on my smartphone as we are spending Xmas with family in England."

Where is everyone else watching from? Turkey sandwich in hand?

Handbags

Gavin Evans is penalised after lashing out at opposite number Jack Dixon. Dragons take the opportunity to relieve some rare Blues pressure.

Jonathan Davies

Former Wales fly-half on Scrum V

That is a big, big try. Psychologically for the forwards as well.

The Blues forwards are in disarray. They have no idea how to stop this, they're all over the shop.

Huw Evans picture agency

That's a very, very good call as well from referee Leighton Hodges.

Penalty for Blues

Gareth Anscombe goes for the corner, not the points. Blues remain on 3 points.

Converted penalty try for Dragons - Blues 3-20 Dragons

Empics

A superb driving maul is collapsed a yard from the line by the Blues and referee Leighton Hodges has no hesitation in awarding the penalty try. Tom Prydie converts.

Blues concede a scrum five after the Dragons pile on the pressure again. Adam Jones and Phil Price are lectured by referee Leighton Hodges and then the Blues claim possession against the head.

Then Jones is replaced by Taufa'ao Filise and Anscombe comes on for Gareth Davies.

Adam's fancy footwork

Huw Evans picture agency

After his drop-goal attempt earlier in the year, Adam Jones decides to try a kick from the scrum-half position after Sam Hobbs wins a turnover. Not many marks for artistic impression!!

Email us

Gareth Usher emails to tell us how and where he's watching this Boxing Day: New tablet......in France. Great score for Dragons so far. Gareth Usher, Welshman in France.

You can email us too! Via [e-mail]

There's been plenty of endeavour and strong running from both sides, but it is Dragons who find themselves ahead at half-time.

Blues have struggled to break down Dragons' defence and it's no surprise with tackles like this.

Huw Evans picture agency

Dragons' Tyler Morgan crashes into Blues wing Alex Cuthbert in the first half…

Jonathan Davies

Former Wales fly-half on Scrum V

"They have to keep playing, the Dragons. Carry on what they were doing in the first and keep the pressure on."

Second half underway

Here we go then. Can the Blues rediscover their home form in the second 40? No replacements during the break.

Lewis Jones, Blues' scrum-half talking to Phil Steele

"Our kicking game has been really poor. We're playing the game in the wrong areas and it's killing us."

Martyn Williams

Former Wales captain on Scrum V

"Dragons fully deserve to be 10 points ahead. Andrew Coombs, Lewis Evans and Nic Cudd are firing.

"They deserve to be on top."

Tell us how you're watching

Ok, who's watching on a new tablet or smartphone brought by Father Christmas? And are you wearing a Christmas jumper?

Let us know on email:[e-mail]

Or on twitter using the hashtag #ScrumV

Get involved

Dan Todd writes: "Blues struggling so far #ScrumV Coombs has been superb so far for the Dragons."

A very disappointing first half for the home side. Blues director of rugby Mark Hammett will have plenty to say during the interval.

Half-time: Blues 3-13 Dragons

Well, Blues coach Mark Hammett was right when he said the form book would count for nothing. The Dragons have dominated at the breakdown and carried the ball more effectively than their hosts. Gareth Davies' failure with two penalty attempts has further hampered the Blues. Gareth Anscombe is on the bench. Will we see him early in the second half?

Penalty for Blues (Gareth Davies) Blues 3-13 Dragons

Huw Evans picture agency

Gareth Davies - selected ahead of Gareth Anscombe at fly-half - finds his range from the 40 metre with the last kick of the first half to cut the deficit to 10 points.

Penalty for the Blues

They have a chance when the Dragons are penalised at the scrummage. Can Gareth Davies take advantage?

Late attacking chance for the Blues

Tom Prydie knocks on a difficult low kick under pressure from Alex Cuthbert. Can the Blues conjure something before the interval?

Penalty for Dragons (Prydie) Blues 0-13 Dragons

Huw Evans picture agency

And the Blues concede a penalty which Tom Prydie nails from close range. The Dragons have completely dominated the first half.

Great breakout

No they can't. Rynard Landman steals the ball and Jason Tovey pins the Blues back into their own 22 where they concede a lineout.

Dragons slip-up

Big mistake by Dragons as they put the ball straight out after carrying the ball into their own 22. Can the Blues take advantage?

Adrian Hadley

Former Wales wing on BBC Radio Wales

The Blues at the moment are absolutely woeful.

Converted try for Dragons (Elliott Dee) Blues 0-10 Dragons

And they get their reward as hooker Elliott Dee touches down after a huge forward drive. And Tom Prydie converts from the touchline. It's no more than the Dragons deserve.

Penalty for Dragons

Adam Jones is penalised at a scrummage but Dragons go for the corner and not for goal.

Amos pins them back

Dragons are playing well and Hallam Amos pins the Blues back into the corner with a a low touch-finder. But they need to make their dominance pay.

Jonathan Davies

Former Wales fly-half on Scrum V

"I think the ref has had a block of hair gel for Christmas"

You might be right there, Jiffy. Here's a lovely close-up shot of referee Leighton Hodges...

BBC Sport

What a let-off

Blues fly-half Gareth Davies misses a penalty from in front of the posts after Nick Cudd is harshly penalised for obstruction. Dragons retain their lead.

Little to cheer

It's not a thriller and there's little festive cheer on display as the Blues survive 10 minutes of Dragons pressure without conceding further points. Will the Dragons live to regret that?

Handbags

Rynard Landman and Adam Jones have a difference of opinion off the ball. The Dragons second row is penalised so the Blues relieve the pressure.

Let-off for the Blues

Dragons batter away at the line before spilling the ball within yards of the line.

Close call

Ellis Jenkins has to cover back to save the day for the Blues as Tovey again poses questions - putting a neat kick through before the flanker covers across to give away an attacking scrum for the visitors.

Penalty for Dragons (Prydie) Blues 0-3 Dragons

And the Wales international nails it with plenty to spare from more than 50 metres.

Penalty for Dragons

Tom Prydie steps up for a penalty attempt from the half way line.

Get involved

Cardiff Blues have a rather Argentinian flavour to their back-line these days with the likes of Joaquin Tuculet and Lucas Amorosino.

Tuculet's orange footwear is rather eye-catching, prompting Michael Heneghan to tweet: "I like this Cardiff full-back, and indeed his boots #ScrumV"

Will it be lucky orange for Blues on Boxing Day?

Drop-goal miss

Huw Evans picture agency

Dragons building up a head of steam for the first time as fly-half Jason Tovey makes a break to set-up a wave of attacks near the Blues try line. Then Tovey misses with a drop-goal attempt.

So far so quiet

It's a sparring match between the two 22 metre areas at the moment. Neither team getting on top. Both teams making errors.

Phil Steele on Scrum V

"Two years ago the old pitch was the consistency of a dodgy meat pie, so it's a huge improvement. And the perceived wisdom is this pitch plays a bit better when it's wet."

Get involved

Bechan Anwen Rees writes: "It's #boxingday which means its #scrumv time #BluesvDragons

Both sides need a win in the Pro12, but will the points be staying in Cardiff or travelling back down the M4?

Penalty for Blues - missed by Gareth Davies

We're off

We're underway, with the big advantage of the artificial pitch at the Arms Park immediately evident. In spite of the rain, the playing surface is perfect so the players will not be able to blame that if the game is below par.

Jonathan Davies

Former Wales fly-half on Scrum V

"The weather isn't playing its part. It's absolutely chucking it down! Let's hope it doesn't affect the game too much."

Dragons' late change

Elliott Dee starts at hooker for Dragons in place of T Rhys Thomas who pulled up during the warm-up.

Sam's the man for the 100th time

It's a landmark day for Blues loose-head prop Sam Hobbs who makes his 100th appearance for the region.

He takes over from Gethin Jenkins - who has made more than 100 international appearances for Wales.

Lyn Jones' Boxing Day hopes

Dragons director of rugby Lyn Jones is getting all Bob the Builder - or is it President Obama?

"There were a lot of records made by Newport Gwent Dragons in the first two years of regional rugby. Since then they have been putting some negative records together.

"My job here is to help turn those things around and one of which is it would be nice for us to go to the Arms Park and win. Can we do it? Yes we can. Are we good enough? Yes we are. Are we confident? Yeah we are!"

Morgan gets a contract for Christmas

Huw Evans picture agency

Morgan said he was delighted to commit his future to the Dragons and welsh rugby

Dragons centre Tyler Morgan plays for the region for the first time since being injured in September fresh from signing a WRU dual contract.

The 19-year-old is the first uncapped player to sign one of the new contracts, and was thrilled with the news.

"I'm a local boy and I'm very happy at the Dragons, so I'm delighted to commit my future to them and to Welsh rugby," he said.

"The contracts allow us to work closely with the national squad management and for me that was a big incentive.

"Being able to get that extra advice and guidance will really benefit me going forward."

Morgan's Dragons team-mate Hallam Amos also has also signed a dual contract today.

Get involved

Grab a turkey sandwich and join in the conversation.

Simon Chuck Norris tweets: "Won't be surprised if Blues v Dragons is closer than people think #ScrumV"

What do you think? Will it be a Christmas cracker or has one team eaten a little too much Christmas pudding this year?

Let us know. Kick off is just six minutes away...

Hammett's being cautious

Blues director of rugby Mark Hammett is not relying on the form book - which suggests the Blues will win.

"When you have derby games you have to be careful about looking at past form and strengths and weaknesses," said the New Zealander.

"Derby games bring out a greater intensity and a competition which can be different. Often it's the attitude that wins these games over technique and tactical nous.

"It's a massive game and very close to being sold out. It's critical that we perform at home in front of the supportive crowd."

And the men in the middle

And in the pantomime season, here are some "villains" you might want to jeer - all in good fun, of course!

Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU)

Assistant Referees: Rhys Thomas, Craig Evans (both WRU)

Citing Commissioner: Gwyn Bowden (WRU)

TMO: Gareth Simmonds (WRU)

Introducing today's cast of characters

Cardiff Blues: Joaquin Tuculet; Alex Cuthbert, Cory Allen, Gavin Evans, Lucas Amorosino; Gareth Davies, Lewis Jones; Sam Hobbs, Matthew Rees (c), Adam Jones, Jarrad Hoeata, Lou Reed, Josh Turnbull, Ellis Jenkins, Josh Navidi

Replacements: Kristian Dacey, Gethin Jenkins, Taufa'ao Filise, Macauley Cook, Manoa Vosawai, Tavis Knoyle, Gareth Anscombe, Adam Thomas

Newport Gwent Dragons: Tom Prydie, Matthew Pewtner, Tyler Morgan, Jack Dixon, Hallam Amos, Jason Tovey, Jonathan Evans; Phil Price, T. Rhys Thomas, Brok Harris, Andrew Coombs, Rynard Landman (c), James Thomas, Nic Cudd, Lewis Evans.

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Owen Evans, Dan Way, Cory Hill, Ian Gough, Richie Rees, Dorian Jones, Geraint Rhys Jones.

It may be raining, but let's be of good cheer

Prynhawn da and Nadolig Llawen! Welcome to the traditional festive Welsh rugby derby.

And after charades and Candy Crush Saga (other computer games are available) on Christmas Day, it's time to get down to a serious game on Boxing Day.

It's Blues v Dragons at Cardiff Arms Park with Pro12 points and local bragging rights at stake.

The team from Newport have not won in Cardiff since 2003, so with only five points between them in the table, a long-overdue win for the visitors could close the gap to a point - or even put them on level terms with a bonus point.

Now that would be a Christmas bonus.