CAPTAIN Lewis Evans said “harsh words” were needed after the Dragons’ capitulation against the Southern Kings in the Guinness PRO14.

The Rodney Parade region became the South African side’s first scalp at the 17th time of asking since they joined the European competition.

The Dragons led 13-7 approaching half-time thanks to a try, a conversion and two penalties by fly-half Dorian Jones but shipped 38 unanswered points in a humiliating defeat at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

A wonderful score by livewire full-back Masixole Banda gave the six-try Kings a timely lift before the break and they romped clear after the resumption.

“It was a shame that we capitulated,” said number eight Evans. “That try just before half-time was tough to take and then we came out and compounded our errors.

“Fair play to the Kings, they played really well with good attacking rugby. They controlled the game and got their rewards.

“We couldn’t convert some reasonable pressure, we’d go multi-phase and then turn the ball over.

“The Kings executed their game plan really well and every time we put them under pressure they dealt with it, so there are some lessons to be learnt and some harsh words to be said. We need to get better.”

It means that the Dragons’ PRO14 losing streak on the road will stretch to three years while they haven’t won in the league since beating the Kings in Newport in September.

They have won just two games all season and have just the Kings beneath them in Conference B with Benetton 22 points ahead of them with a game in hand.

The Dragons now have a two-week break until they entertain the Cheetahs at Rodney Parade.