NEWPORT Gwent Dragons found their European swagger to enjoy a 30-12 Challenge Cup victory against Sale at Rodney Parade.

The Dragons' attack has spluttered in the Guinness Pro12 but they ran in three first-half tries against the Sharks to take command and then, after an English comeback, replacement lock Matthew Screech slid over in the closing stages to make it a dream start.

Last season Lyn Jones' men played some glorious rugby when stunning Stade Francais twice, thrashing Newcastle and winning their quarter-final derby with Cardiff Blues.

They rediscovered that spirit against English opposition with scrum-half Sarel Pretorius and fly-half Dorian Jones sparking them into life, number eight Ed Jackson was magnificent with ball in hand and bright openside Ollie Griffiths added to his reputation.

The 20-year-old from Newbridge has had to bide his time because of the form of breakdown king Nic Cudd but all-action Griffiths adds so much to the side in all parts of the game.

The Dragons scrum went well and their defence against strong Sale runners was excellent – all in all it was just a terrific, morale-boosting afternoon in what has been a chastening first few months of the season.

Once again the much-maligned Challenge Cup could be the Dragons' salvation. On Saturday they head to Castres, whose game at Pau was postponed because of events in Paris, knowing that victory would put them in command of an extremely tough group.

The Sharks headed to Wales with a weakened line-up, but so did Newcastle last season when the Falcons' combination of youngsters and fringe players burgled the points.

Nonetheless, Steve Diamond's selection increased the pressure on the hosts; after a demoralising start to the campaign a loss to a second string would not only add to the woe but would leave them up against it in a tough group.

The heat was also on the Dragons to fire in attack having crossed for just two tries in three Guinness Pro12 home games, both of them from driving lineouts.

The opening minute certainly included some dazzling play – although it was from a man in luminous yellow with full-back Tim Jeffers cutting through the Dragons defence with a wonderful run.

He couldn't finish off and the attack fizzled out, and the hosts made the most of their escape with a glorious score in the fifth minute.

Scrum-half Sarel Pretorius sniped away while penalty advantage was being played and offloaded to openside Ollie Griffiths, who finished majestically from 25 metres with a turn of speed that would please those with 11, 13, 14 or 15 on their backs.

The Dragons swiftly wasted another opening inside enemy territory – a knock-on inside the 22, the scourge of their season – and then they had to withstand incredible pressure on their line.

First the English side made great ground with their driving lineout and with penalty advantage missed an 'open goal' down the right, unmarked wing Tom Brady left deflated by Jeffers' wild pass going straight into touch.

They turned down the three and hammered away at the Dragons' line though their maul, pick and drives, scrum and power runners.

The hosts eventually cleared their lines with the help of the TMO, who chalked off Brian Mujati's try by deeming the powerful South Africa tighthead had his knee on the floor and was part of the ruck before he picked up and crashed over.

The Dragons' sterling defensive efforts were rewarded with another cracker in the 27th minute with their South African scrum-half the catalyst again.

His break enabled Dorian Jones to put lock Rynard Landman galloping over with the TMO ruling that the pass was flat by the fly-half, who added the extras.

Things got even better approaching the break when the Dragons scored their third try, eventually reaping the rewards of a brave decision to go for the corner with a penalty rather than a simple three-pointer.

The first lineout was overthrown but Sale couldn't clear properly, giving the hosts another crack from 10 metres out.

The Sharks infringed and, once again playing with penalty advantage, the Dragons forwards – with Griffiths prominent again – hammered away at the line to create space for centre Adam Hughes to go over down the right with numbers outside.

Jones' conversion was wide in tricky conditions and the Dragons had to settle for a 17-0 lead at the break.

Thoughts of bonus points had to go on the back burner seven minutes into the second half with Sale getting back into it when scrum-half James Mitchell, a sevens specialist, went under the sticks after a neat break by former Cardiff Blues fly-half Nick MacLeod.

The Dragons had victory to secure and Jones bisected the posts to make it 20-7 with half an hour left.

However, the Sharks struck back with their second try through their impressive driving lineout.

Their first effort saw Dragons replacement prop Phil Price sin-binned for pulling it down from the side and the second saw captain and lock Jon Mills go over.

At 20-12 it was suddenly a nervy affair with Jones adding another three when Sale stood up to some ferocious carrying on their line.

The Dragons had ridden out the storm and the bonus point was secure when after a series of strong charges, replacement lock Matthew Screech slid over to make it a perfect start.

Dragons: C Meyer, A Hewitt, A Hughes, A Warren (R Wardle 67), N Scott, D Jones, S Pretorius (C Davies 60), B Stankovich (P Price 50), E Dee (R Buckley ), S Knight (B Harris 40), C Hill (M Screech 64), R Landman (captain), L Evans (N Crosswell 58), O Griffiths, E Jackson.

Scorers: tries – O Griffiths, R Landman, A Hughes, M Screech; conversions – D Jones (2); penalties – D Jones (2)

Sale: T Jeffers, T Brady, M Jennings, S Bedlow, C Ingall, N MacLeod, J Mitchell, J Flynn (J Harrison 58), N Briggs, B Mujati, J Mills (captain), A Ostrikov, M Lund, A Hughes (C Neild 50), V Fihaki (J Beaumont 58).

Scorers: tries – J Mitchell, J Mills; conversion – N MacLeod

Referee: Alexandre Ruiz (France)

Attendance: 4,455

Argus star man: Ed Jackson