CHAMPAGNE wasn't flowing at Rodney Parade as it was at Gleneagles on Sunday evening but victory meant just as much for Newport Gwent Dragons as it did for the European Ryder Cup team.

Most teams will share the Dragons' experience of enjoying a home Guinnes Pro12 win against Treviso this season but the 33-15 bonus point win was a timely one.

After defeats to Connacht, the Ospreys and Glasgow the region is up and running ahead of Sunday's derby against the Scarlets in Llanelli and a Murrayfield encounter with Edinburgh.

Scrum-half Jonathan Evans said there was a feeling of relief in the Dragons' changing room after their win but also the acknowledgement that they will need to up their game out west.

"It's a weight lifted off the shoulders," said the 22-year-old. "We had a great pre-season but hadn't been able to take that into the first few games so finally come off the field after a win was brilliant.

"The mood was completely different and it's about momentum now, we've got two games that we have really got to target.

"The Treviso win took us up to eighth in the table, not far off sixth and it's crazy how things can change in a week.

"We won the game in the first 20 minutes of each half but eased off, which we shouldn't have done and we cannot do that against the Scarlets.

"They have scored a lot of points recently and need to make sure we are on the ball throughout. We spent a 10-minute spell camped on our own line when Treviso had two disallowed tries and the Scarlets will score in that situation."

Evans has made a good start to the season after a frustrating, injury-hit 2013/14 that saw him wear the number 9 jersey just five times.

"I am pleased with how it went against Treviso," he said. "I had a long spell without any games because of injury but I've had three starts this season and my match fitness is slowly coming back.

"Against the Ospreys I hit 50 minutes and was blowing but this time it was around 65 minutes before I was tiring a bit. No amount of fitness work can prepare you for what happens on the field."