NEWPORT Gwent Dragons ended a miserable season with a 26-24 defeat to Cardiff Blues in the Guinness PRO12. Here are five things from the game in Caerphilly…

1: DRAGONS ON THE ROAD

A declaration, I felt this game should have been played in Ebbw Vale because of the fixture clash that saw Newport County adding a football occasion to the rich history of Rodney Parade.

As Cardiff Blues chief executive Richard Holland Tweeted: "Interesting putting in a CF postcode for an "away" game".

But Caerphilly, closer to the Arms Park than Rodney Parade, got the nod and club officials and volunteers deserve plenty of praise for their efforts in making the ground presentable while fire crews should be toasted for their help on Friday night to help the dry pitch pass an inspection.

It wasn’t perfect, and the view of the game mustn’t have been great for those stood at ground level, but folk seemed to have a good time.

Rodney Parade is the only ground suitable for hosting Guinness PRO12 games – the effort, pain and financial hit of moving this game must not be underestimated – but there is no reason why an Anglo-Welsh Cup game or two couldn’t be played at Eugene Cross Park, Virginia Park or Pandy Park.

2: A GRIM, GRIM SEASON

A frequent contributor to the comments section of this website accuses me of being too negative but the facts speak for themselves.

The Dragons have finished 11th in the table with just four league wins and a tally of points, 23, that was worse than last year’s 26. They haven’t won since January 16 against Enisei-STM, a losing streak of 12 fixtures in all competitions, and didn’t win away from home all season.

Two of their home fixtures were played away from Rodney Parade, Judgement Day by choice and yesterday because of the fixture clash, while one of them that was played in Newport was called off with 12 minutes left because of the poor state of the pitch.

Sorry for not being full of the joys of spring.

The Dragons have been disrupted by takeover talk and are hindered by a measly budget but have they made the most of the hand that they have been dealt? Four wins (eight in all competitions) suggests not.

3: TYPICAL FLASHES

The Dragons can look a good team – just look at the start and finish.

They came flying out of the traps and were good value for their 8-0 lead courtesy of a well-worked opening try for Carl Meyer only for an error by Angus O’Brien, who had excellently set up the opener, to gift the Blues a way back in.

The second half was poor from the Dragons into a stiff breeze but, like against the Scarlets, they showed what they can do at the death with a lovely move for Sam Beard’s score.

The inconsistency within 80 minutes, going from the sublime to the shocking, is why the Dragons finished with just Zebre beneath them.

4: SCRUM STRUGGLES

The Dragons were smashed at the set piece, which is a shame because they have been pretty solid under Ceri Jones’ stewardship for much of the season.

One has to wonder whether Brok Harris, who suffered a leg injury in Edinburgh, was fully fit but his chief contenders for the 3 jersey, Leon Brown and Lloyd Fairbrother, were watching on from the stands with injuries.

Sam Hobbs has had a fine first season at Rodney Parade but also had a tough evening after returning from a back problem that meant he missed out at Myreside.

5: MOMENTUM SHIFTERS

A common problem throughout the campaign has been that the Dragons have lacked the players with the ability to turn the course of a game with one magic moment.

Hallam Amos and Ashton Hewitt have that ability with guile while Ed Jackson provided it in the first half of the season with determined running.

The money isn’t there to bring in players with a track record of moments to lift the side when up against it so the likes of Tyler Morgan (who has had a solid season), Jack Dixon and Harri Keddie need to step up more consistently.