THE Dragons enjoyed arguably the finest win of the Dean Ryan era when they beat Glasgow 23-22 at Scotstoun Stadium.

Wing Jared Rosser got them off to a flying start with a wonderful try from Sam Davies’ inside ball but they paid the price for a pair of yellow cards to trail 14-10 at the break.

Prop Brok Harris crashed over early in the second half and Davies put them six points ahead with a smart drop goal.

READ MORE: Match report of Glasgow-Dragons

An agonising defeat was on the cards when hooker Johnny Matthews went over with the clock in the red only for Brandon Thomson’s nerves to get the better of him from just to the right of the posts.

Here are the talking points from Scotstoun…

THE KICK

Dean Ryan would have been pleased with his squad whether they travelled back from Glasgow with one point or four; the director of rugby doesn’t just judge by win, draw or loss.

However, Thomson’s incredible miss from the tee ensured that it was a deserved away win rather than a burgled home one by the Warriors.

It was a lack of composure by the replacement fly-half as he attempted to add the extras that would make hooker Matthews the hero after his quick tap and powerful finish.

The Dragons were told that they couldn’t charge down the conversion after they went early, but Thomson didn’t then take a couple of deep breaths.

It was a rushed attempt with a short run-up and an absolute shocker from just to the right of the posts.

The Dragons – who no doubt had been on the receiving end of some Scottish verbals after the try – ran off their line to celebrate near the fly-half before some eventually consoled him.

Thomson would’ve put his phone on airplane mode and avoided the Sunday papers. Such is the life of a kicker.

Glasgow may have made a stuttering start to the campaign but this was a big win for the Dragons, one that I would place above last season's derby wins against the Scarlets and Ospreys.

Free Press Series: IMPRESSIVE: Ben Carter was superb on his first startIMPRESSIVE: Ben Carter was superb on his first start

GET CARTER

Ben Carter has been one to watch for a long time but it was a brave call to give the lock from Caldicot the call at just 19; teens can be flung in out wide but it’s unforgiving up front.

That the Dragons put their faith in Carter shows how highly they rate him and he didn’t disappoint. He had an appetite for graft and didn’t look like a lad playing with the men.

“When you are 6ft 6ins you will certainly be given the opportunity of being a regional second row, but when you have the right work ethic and attitude you have a very strong chance,” wrote Lewis Evans in his Argus column in October.

“I’ve had good lineout chats with Ben and he is very diligent but he’s also a lock who offers a big work rate and provides positive moments around the field.”

Praise for Carter should be accompanied by acclaim for his second-row partner, the ever-dependable Matthew Screech, while Joe Maksymiw did well off the bench.

The Dragons could well come up against Will Rowlands when Wasps visit Rodney Parade in the Champions Cup next weekend.

The locks will be keen to impress against a Wales forward who looks likely to join them next season, with Joe Davies possibly brought in to add some grunt against English opposition.

Free Press Series: SPEED: Jared Rosser bursts through for the openerSPEED: Jared Rosser bursts through for the opener

START ME UP

The Dragons have shown control since returning from quarantine with half-backs Rhodri Williams and Sam Davies guiding them around the park nicely in Treviso and Glasgow.

They’ve also got their starter plays working nicely with Rosser’s try following on from a cracker by Jamie Roberts at Benetton.

Their work off lineout ball has been slick but they also stayed calm after things didn’t go to plan early in the second half, running hard and with variety before Harris powered over.

The Dragons have returned with real clarity.

Free Press Series: EXPERIENCED: Aaron Jarvis was excellent in GlasgowEXPERIENCED: Aaron Jarvis was excellent in Glasgow

OLD HEADS

From the youth of Wales Under-20s lock Carter to the experience of the Dragons’ former internationals.

Jamie Roberts has been a superb signing and is producing big moments and wise words on the pitch.

The centre is brutal with ball in hand and when smashing opponents yet calm when the Dragons gather during a break in play.

Roberts is 34 but is still a competitive beast that loves the physical side of the game – when Harri Keddie was in the sin bin he packed down at blindside then made a remarkable tackle on Ryan Wilson that stopped Glasgow’s momentum five metres out and led to an escape.

The Dragons should be talking to him to discuss extending that one-year deal.

Roberts stands out with big moments but Aaron Jarvis is unlikely to figure prominently on the highlights.

The tighthead put in a big 76-minute shift against Benetton when Lloyd Fairbrother suffered an early head injury and backed it up with the full 80 at Scotstoun Stadium.

The set piece was solid and Jarvis grafted hard. Leon Brown is back from Test duty next week and will probably get the 3 jersey, but that would be no reflection on the form of his Wales predecessor.