NEWPORT Gwent Dragons Premiership Select got their British and Irish Cup campaign off to a dream start with a bonus-point win against Connacht Eagles.

The Dragons were in command throughout in a wet and windy Galway, leading 24-0 at the break courtesy of a penalty try from a scrum and scores by Ebbw Vale centre Adam Jones and scrum-half Luc Jones.

A five-point haul was secured after the break when Newport wing Elliot Frewen crossed the whitewash witht the hosts scoring a consolation at the death to make it 34-10.

“It’s a fantastic start for us,” said coach Greg Woods. “Not many sides come to Connacht and win and it was like Hurricane Katrina out there.

“It was a fantastic effort by the boys after a good week of preparation – they executed the game plan perfectly and dogged it out.

“The attitude, work rate, hunger and aggression was superb with the forwards laying the platform. It was a great win and now we need to keep the momentum going by backing it up against Jersey.”

That clash takes place at Cross Keys’ Pandy Park a week on Sunday. Jersey shared the spoils with group favourites Doncaster in the Channel Islands, the hosts having to settle for a 22-22 draw after missing a penalty at the death.