DRAGONS OFF TO WINNING WAYS
Glasgow should have opened up an early six-point gap, but Test marksman Dan Parks watched in dismay as two penalty attempts in quick succession crashed back off the near post. The home side enjoyed the bulk of possession in that jittery sparring session, however, it was the Dragons who looked more likely to create clear-cut chances.
Warriors suffered their first injury setback when Canadian international prop Kevin Tkachuk was forced off with a shoulder problem. And it was only after the departure of Petrie that the encounter started to produce fluent and attacking rugby.
Within just two minutes of the bust-up, Glasgow at last found half a gap in the Dragons’ line of markers and flanker Steve Swindall bullocked his way under the crossbar to give Parks a formality of a conversion. Glasgow maintained the momentum, but were unable to add to their tally before the interval.
Dragons came out with much more purpose after the restart and a spell of intense pressure paved the way for their equalising score. Winger Richard Fussell had set up the position with a long and mazy run before captain Jason Forster burrowed through from point-blank range. Craig Warlow added the extras from a tricky angle.
And the visitors surged ahead with a touchdown by Gareth Wyatt following an interception on the halfway line. Again Warlow was on-target from wide. Parks clawed back a penalty to set up an exciting finale in which Richard Bryan pounced on a loose ball to make sure for Newport, Warlow converting. There was still time for Mike Roberts to mark his Glasgow debut with a consolation try.
