DRAGONS DENIED IN DERBY STALEMATE

THE Dragons and Ospreys played out a pulsating draw at Rodney Parade on Saturday night, with home fly-half Tinus de Beer agonisingly missing two chances to seal the win late on.

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Ospreys hooker Dewi Lake charges at the Dragons defence

(Picture: Huw Evans Agency)

Tries from Harri Deaves and Phil Cokanasiga put the visitors in a commanding position in the first half, before the hosts eventually found a foothold in the contest just before halftime through Rhodri Williams.

The second period was closely contested, with the Dragons taking the game to their opponents and outscoring them two tries to one.

But once again they fell short in a frantic finish.

The game took place little more than 24 hours after the WRU announced it intends to cut one of the Welsh regions.

Both clubs released statements on Friday evening, with the landscape looking more healthy in the east than it does in the west.