IT WAS a bittersweet afternoon in Bedford for Newport Gwent Dragons Premiership Select XV, who went down to a 46-33 defeat but scrapped for a four-try bonus point in their British and Irish Cup opener.

Tries by fly-half Arwel Robson, full-back Will Talbot-Davies, centre Barney Nightingale and wing Pat Lewis ensured that the Dragons took something from their trip to Goldington Road.

The consolation point sets up Saturday’s fixture with Ealing Trailfinders, who romped to a 51-35 home success against Yorkshire Carnegie, at Cross Keys’ Pandy Park.

Academy boss James Chapron was pleased with the spirit shown by his youthful team against a Bedford side who hammered Pontypridd twice in pre-season but felt it was a chance gone begging for what could have been a crucial away win.

“We’ve got mixed emotions,” he said. “We had a very young side out so it was pleasing that we challenged a good Bedford team but when we look back at the game we will kicking ourselves at some missed opportunities.

“The commitment and work rate was superb in a really high tempo game. We finished the game on top when chasing a second bonus point and you can’t do that unless there is great team spirit.

“We were a bit concerned before the game about the set piece given the inexperience of our side but we controlled that. Bedford were a bit more streetwise and to be fair to them they play a great style of rugby under (former Wales and Cardiff full-back) Mike Rayer.

“Our goal from the first two games was to get at least five points to set up do-or-die games with Yorkshire Carnegie in December. You have to win your home games in this tournament and we have got to pick up four points from Ealing next weekend.”

Robson booted the Dragons into a 6-0 lead only for Bedford to go into the lead thanks to an interception try by centre Tom Griffiths that fly-half Myles Dorrian converted.

The hosts stretched further away thanks to a second try by scrum-half Tom Whiteley before Robson added a third penalty to cut the gap to 14-9 at half-time.

The 19-year-old fly-half from Penallta, placed with Newport for the last two seasons, then raced over himself to convert for a 16-14 lead only for Dorrian to respond with a penalty.

A second Whiteley effort gave the Blues, playing in pink on their fundraising day for Cancer Research, a 24-16 lead and then they barged their way over with a driving lineout, hooker Sam James the man to go over.

The manic second half continued with Talbot-Davies, a Wales Under-18s international from Solihull who has been allocated to Ebbw Vale, crossing only for opposite number Elliot Clement-Hill to respond.

Saracens' wing George Perkins went over to make it 42-23 and secure the spoils for Bedford but the Welsh side showed spirit to ensure they wouldn't leave pointless.

Centre Nightingale finished off a flowing move and then wing Lewis went over in the corner in the closing stages. At 43-33 there was the chance of two bonus points but Bedford had the final say through a penalty by Jake Sharp.

The other fixture saw Ealing bag a five-point haul while Yorkshire Carnegie, formerly Leeds, mirrored the Dragons by securing a four-try bonus in defeat.

Dragons scorers: tries – A Robson, W Talbot-Davies, B Nightingale, P Lewis; conversions – A Robson (2); penalties – A Robson (3)