THE Dragons are searching for the right balance to finish the Guinness PRO14 season with a bang at Rodney Parade after running with freedom against the Ospreys.

Dean Ryan's men ensured their campaign won't just drift off thanks to a stunning 31-20 win at the Brewery Field, a success that means they can finish from third to bottom of Conference A.

The chances of catching the third-placed Ospreys are slim but the Dragons are in a tight tussle with Glasgow and Zebre for fourth, a spot that could earn Champions Cup rugby.

They finish the campaign on home soil with Ulster visiting on Saturday (kick-off 7.35pm) followed by the Warriors and Edinburgh.

Rodney Parade has been anything but a fortress in 2020/21 with just one win from seven games.

Boss Dean Ryan said after they were outthought by Connacht in Newport, when Jack Carty put them in a stranglehold in heavy conditions, that they needed to be the "masters of our own pitch".

The director of rugby will hope for a dose of pragmatism against Ulster, but also for the team to play without the handbrake on as they did in the second half in Bridgend.

Wales back rower Aaron Wainwright scored before the break and then wingers Ashton Hewitt and Jonah Holmes scored doubles to earn a first away derby win since Boxing Day, 2014.

It came after eight losses on the spin with Hewitt hoping the performance turns out to be a turning point.

TRY TIME: Ashton Hewitt clinches the win for the Dragons against the Ospreys

TRY TIME: Ashton Hewitt clinches the win for the Dragons against the Ospreys

"We believed in ourselves, kept our confidence and didn't try to play it too safe," said the 26-year-old from Newport.

"We played a bit more expansively where we have got into a bit of a mindset of playing it safe with more of a kicking game.

"We went away from what we want to be but at the Ospreys we were what we want to be going forward. We played confidently and it paid off."

Holmes said pre-match that he had been frustrated by the lack of touches during the slump but the Dragons played with width and attacking intent at Brewery Field after the forwards provided a platform.

"We've been complaining for a while now so they probably gave us our tries to shut us up! That's what we are there to do – get on the end of moves and finish tries," said Hewitt.

"It was great for me and Jonah while Josh Lewis had a big part to play in a couple of the tries. As a back three it was an enjoyable evening."

The Dragons played with a swagger but it was underpinned by solid work from the pack, who stood firm against a first-half onslaught before showing their lineout drive matched their lineout defence.

BALANCE: Wing Ashton Hewitt hopes the Dragons can get the mix right at Rodney Parade

BALANCE: Wing Ashton Hewitt hopes the Dragons can get the mix right at Rodney Parade

"We've just been working on getting on the same page as backs and forwards, just complementing each other in everything we do," said Hewitt.

"That worked great against the Ospreys, we were under a lot of pressure in the first 20 minutes when we couldn't get out of our 22.

"The forwards were putting in shot after shot. They did a great a great job and we owed them for that – they had a great lineout game and great mauls.

"We are just trying to bounce off each other and help each other out. It's about getting that balance and making sure that we have multiple threats to concern teams.

"We want to be expansive and play heads-up rugby, being confident, but at the same time we have to be sensible depending on conditions and how heavy the pitch is underfoot.

"Dean is challenging us to assess the game as it goes and is giving us responsibility to make on-field decisions. We are all learning and hopefully we will keep going positively."