THE Dragons suffered a 43-29 defeat to Cardiff Blues at the Arms Park. Here are five things from the Guinness PRO14 derby in the capital.

1: Delay of the inevitable?

The first 40 minutes at the Arms Park was wonderful affair for the Dragons as they headed to the away changing room with a 21-10 lead after playing some sumptuous rugby.

But there was always the nagging feeling that the visitors would struggle to hold on to their lead after putting so much physicality into the first half.

In fairness, Cardiff Blues upped their game considerably after the restart but the Dragons looked out on their feet with half an hour left.

Their injury crisis was not an exaggeration and their bench lacked experience and the ability to change the momentum.

This has been a theme of the season and it will continue until some of the walking wounded return.

2: Attacking verve

The Dragons recorded a second bonus point on the bounce thanks to their first half effort and their rugby was a joy to watch.

They are playing what is in front of them and all of them, from loosehead to full-back, are being encouraged to up the tempo and move the ball.

The presence of James Benjamin in the back row provides another link man while the opening try highlighted their intent to attack with Hallam Amos countering and then continuing with the penalty advantage after a high tackle.

Granted, the points against column isn’t making particularly nice reading but the Dragons have 14 tries in six games, an average of 2.3, whereas in 22 games they scored just 38 last season and the year before it was 33.

They must keep it going.

3: Dee makes his point (again)

Elliot Dee produced yet another superb performance and on current form deserves to be in the squad for the autumn internationals if he can stay fit.

The hooker has been energetic and influential around the park while his set piece has been solid – he must be in the mix to join Ken Owens and Kristian Dacey in the group to face Australia, Georgia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Dee endured a frustrating, injury-hit 2016/17 and it shows in his performances. He is hungry for rugby and loving being back out there.

4: Morgan dazzles

The standout moment of the game gave encouragement that Tyler Morgan is getting back to his best with ball in hand.

When the centre burst onto the scene he was electric on the outside break, taking his form with Newport RFC in the Premiership onto the regional stage and scoring a cracking try against Treviso.

Injuries have hindered his development and Morgan hasn’t really kicked on but last night’s game provided some hope that he is growing under Bernard Jackman’s attacking game plan.

His run for George Gasson’s try was super with neat footwork, then serious pace, then a lovely offload.

He backed it up with a wonderful tackle to save the day (temporarily) when Josh Navidi intercepted in the second half.

Morgan played in a World Cup quarter-final two years ago but is still just 22 and hopefully this can be the season that his midfield partnership with Jack Dixon really produces.

The pair are at the stage where they can no longer use inexperience as an excuse and they have to push on.

5: Those horrible streaks

It is a transitional season for the Dragons with Bernard Jackman having a good look at all of his squad and giving young talent a crack before he has a busy winter of recruitment.

However, if they are to really start afresh in 2018/19 then they desperately need to end the hoodoos away from Rodney Parade and in derbies.

They have to win on the road in the PRO14 to terminate a streak that goes back to Treviso in March, 2015 while they have five more cracks at regional rivals, starting in Swansea at the end of the month.

The Dragons have been whitewashed in derbies for two successive seasons and need to give their fans some cheer.

If they continue playing the rugby from the first half and get some key players back to bolster their bench then that should happen this season.