European Challenge Cup: Dragons 9-29 Sharks - Hosts pay heavy price for missed chances

Jared Rosser saw his early try ruled out on review

Dragons stumbled out of the Challenge Cup after they were punished for their lack of finishing by Sharks in Newport.

The hosts led for most of the first half at a rain-lashed Rodney Parade as they chased a place in the last 16.

But Dane Blacker and Jared Rosser blew chances before Jaden Hendrikse and Ox Nche barged over just before half-time.

Cai Evans kicked Dragons to within three points, but Gerbrandt Grobler, Le Roux Roets and Werner Kok all crossed late to inflict a harsh scoreline.

Dragons will wonder how they managed to be on the end of this beating given it was a three-point game at 12-9 with just 10 minutes to go.

But it has been a recurring theme in this campaign having suffered late losses at both Pau and last week at Zebre.

Chance to impress

Dai Flanagan made eight changes including a first start of the season for Leon Brown.

This was a vital audition for the Wales prop in the week he was named in the Six Nations squad ahead of World Cup trio Tomas Francis, Henry Thomas and Dillon Lewis.

At 27, Brown should be entering his peak as a tight-head and against World Cup winner Nche, he held his own in the scrum and proved his worth in the loose.

Evans' kicking could give him the edge for the Wales number 15 jersey, though was shaky in defence as shown by conceding the final try.

Aaron Wainwright was his usual robust figure while Rio Dyer barely had a touch of the ball in soaking conditions.

Sharks were already in the last 16 but Nche was part of a strong team that included the likes of Lukhanyo Am and Makazole Mapimpi.

But they looked more like the team bottom of the United Rugby Championship (URC) - a point below Dragons - than the side top of Pool One.

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Dragons led 6-0 until five minutes before half-time, but Flanagan will exasperated that it was not more after they blew two tries in one move.

First scrum-half Blacker stepped through, but somehow managed to find a Sharks player with what should have been a scoring pass to either of the two players in support.

Sharks cleared deep into Dragons territory where Jared Rosser collected, beat two tacklers, hacked up field and then stepped on the gas to beat the last defender Hendrikse.

Yet, as the Rodney Parade faithful roared, the wing was ruled to have misjudged his dive for the ball as it crept towards the line - but only after French official Adrien Marbot had allowed Evans to convert.

It was similar to his miss against Cardiff early in the season and would prove costly for Dragons again.

Ox Nche scored a vital second try for Sharks on the stroke of half-time

Ryan Woodman stood out in a strong defensive display until Sharks' brute force told as first Hendrikse and then Nche touched down from close range.

Taine Basham, dropped for the past two games, was brought on for the second half and Dragons clawed their way back to touching distance.

But Sharks knew where to hurt their hosts, with the rolling maul, and struck twice in the space of six minutes late on before Kok capitalised on Evans' error with the final play.

Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan said: "We're disappointed. It's been a long block of 13 games where these young guys are learning week to week under pressure.

"We started superbly into the wind but the [Rosser] missed try was massive. It changed the mood and the atmosphere and when they scored before half-time, momentum swung and we struggled to recover.

"Their power game was massive but we gave them soft penalties. So we have lots to work on over the break."

Dragons: Cai Evans; Rio Dyer, Steff Hughes (capt), Harri Ackerman, Jared Rosser; Will Reed, Dane Blacker; Rhodri Jones, Bradley Roberts, Leon Brown, Joe Davies, Matthew Screech, Ryan Woodman, Ollie Griffiths, Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements: James Benjamin, Rodrigo Martinez, Luke Yendle, George Young, Taine Basham, Rhodri Williams, Joe Westwood, Ewan Rosser.

Sin Bin: Martinez (76)

Sharks: Aphelele Fassi; Werner Kok, Lukhanyo Am (capt), Francois Venter, Makazole Mapimpi; Curwin Bosch, Jaden Hendrikse, Ox Nche, Fez Mbatha, Hanro Jacobs, Corne Rahl, Gerbrandt Grobler, James Venter, Jeandre Labuschagne, Phepsi Buthelezi.

Replacements: Dan Jooste, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Coenie Oosthuizen, Le Roux Roets, Tinotenda Mavesere, Grant Williams, Lionel Cronje, Rohan Janse van Rensburg.

Referee: Adrien Marbot (France)

Assistant referees: Benoit Rousselet & Thomas Chereque (France)

TMO: Julien Castaignede (France).

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