NEWPORT Gwent Dragons suffered heartbreak at the death in Belfast when denied a shock victory at Guinness Pro12 title hopefuls Ulster by Paddy Jackson’s late penalty.

1: The Dragons have found their defensive steel after their Sale shocker

It was all too easy for the Sharks in Salford in the demoralising European Challenge Cup hammering but the Dragons have responded superbly in defence.

Last week they put their bodies on the line to hold out against Leinster for a win at Rodney Parade when Ian Madigan was pulling the strings and Ben Te’o, Dominic Ryan, Jordi Murphy and Richardt Strauss were carrying hard.

They almost repeated the trick against Ulster at the Kingspan with the lineout defence working well (apart from for the penalty try) and the 13 men putting in a wonderful effort to keep their line intact approaching the hour.

Flanker Nic Cudd was to the fore with one majestic jackal when the massive frame of Nick Williams got to within yards of the line and a try seemed inevitable.

The defensive spirit ensured that the Dragons at least left with a consolation bonus point when previously they would have folded.

 

2: The Dragons have the runners to cause all manner of problems

The frequency and inaccuracy of the Dragons’ kicking game frustrated throughout the first half of the Pro12 campaign but they showed real intent with ball in hand from the off in Belfast.

Ulster’s first clearance kick went to Ed Jackson, who took a quick tap to launch a brilliant and patient attack with runners offering themselves and getting to within yards of the line. It earned Angus O’Brien’s early penalty.

The two tries were glorious efforts with 10 players touching the ball for Adam Hughes’ try – Rynard Landman scooped up the turnover, shipped on to Elliot Dee, who put Ashton Hewitt down the right to beat a handful of players. Then it was Charlie Davies, Angus O’Brien, Jackson, Nic Cudd, Carl Meyer and Hughes.

Carl Meyer’s effort in the second half was another corker after an initial break by O’Brien and then Cudd burst into the 22 from Ben White’s pop pass. More forceful carries ended with Landman putting over the full-back.

It’s the sort of rugby that Dragons fans love to see – enterprising, intelligent and enjoyable. With Hewitt, Hallam Amos and the midfield of Adam Warren and Adam Hughes in the three-quarters, the handbrake has to be off.

 

3: Indiscipline in key periods is killing the Dragons

A theme of the season has been how the Dragons have paid the price for sin bin periods and it was no different in Belfast.

After an offence had allowed Ulster to go to the corner, Matthew Screech conceded a penalty try when picking up his yellow for pulling down a driving lineout that was destined for the line – a remarkably similar offence to Lewis Evans’ against Cardiff Blues.

Ben White swiftly followed him to the sin bin for a second high tackle and then Boris Stankovich got away with a talking to for the same offence.

Penalties allowed Ulster to wrestle control of the game from the Dragons following Carl Meyer’s try, bossing territory and possession.

The late penalty conceded by James Benjamin was a poor judgement call at the breakdown, which happens, but the brainless offences have to be cut out.

On Thursday they host Connacht, who sneaked home last season despite playing most of the game with a man advantage after Rynard Landman's red card for an elbow. The Dragons need to keep 15 on the field.