Saturday saw Dragons fall to defeat against a Vodacom Bulls side who were sitting second in the BKT United Rugby Championship.
After a tough first half, Dragons started the second forty strongly with Wales scrum half Rhodri Williams to the fore, setting up one try with a pass over the top for Huw Anderson, before scoring a wonderful solo try, chipping over double-World Cup-winner Willie Le Roux before regathering to score.
Williams was modest on his score, thanking the platform he was provided by his pack of forwards with the break coming from a ruck where Ryan Woodman and debutant Jamie Hughes, on permit from Llandovery, had performed the clear-out.
“I just saw space and then managed to finish it off,” said Williams.
“It was good we were on the front foot and as a nine you rely on the team as well, so it's credit to the team as well.
“It was an unbelievable shift from Jamie. To fly over and land on Tuesday, it's a lot to learn and then to play at one of the hardest places to go in the league and I take my hat off to him.
“He was playing against Ebbw Vale last week and he's playing against the Bulls away this week, Lewis Morgan as well, coming on and taking his opportunity with a nice little sneaky try towards the end.
“Credit to them both we can't thank them enough because it's been a tough period with injuries.”
This season has seen Williams recalled to the Wales national side on the back of his fine form for Dragons where he has also been helping to mentor young nines Che Hope and Morgan Lloyd amongst others in a youthful backline.
“I’ve fallen into that leaders role as such,” said Williams.
“We’ve got a good group coming through and days like today we’ll take learnings from what Bulls did and there're plenty of positives to take from the two games up here.
“The young backs have had some exposure this year, Huw Anderson has been quite regular this season and Harry Rees-Weldon's come in recently and the both have put their hands up.
“The two young nines, Che and Moggs, are quality players. Che’s had more exposure again today, he's been around the squad for numerous years now, and he's got plenty of quality attributes from his game.”
The end of the game was emotional for several Dragons who will be leaving the club at the end of the season.
Club centurions Ashton Hewitt and Joe Davies have announced that they will be leaving the club at the end of the season following more than a decade’s long association with Dragons RFC.
“It was tough when the final whistle went,” said Williams.
"It was quite emotional seeing some of the boys quite upset on the field.
“People like Ashton and Joe they’ve served the club for 12 years and given everything.
“It just shows their character as people not just as players, character off the field and they’re a massive part of the group.”
It was an unbelievable shift from Jamie. To fly over and land on Tuesday, it's a lot to learn and then to play at one of the hardest places to go in the league and I take my hat off to him.
