Dragons' wait for success in derby goes on as Cardiff hold out for victory

THE Dragons' decade-long wait for a win over Cardiff goes on as the capital club made it 22 league wins in a row in this fixture with a 22-19 Boxing Day victory.

- BEN JAMES

This festive derby wasn't exactly high on quality, but it ended in dramatic fashion with the Dragons going in search for a winning score long after the clock had gone red once a 78th minute penalty try had given them hope.

You'd have to wind back to the clock to 2015 for the Dragons' last victory over Cardiff in any competition, as well as the last time they won three matches in a row. In the league, the Men of Gwent had played 21 league matches since beating Cardiff on Boxing Day 2014 and lost all of those.

However, back-to-back wins against Lyon and Connacht have offered the Dragons some much needed festive cheer at the end of a tough 2025.

And that was clear to see as Filo Tiatia's side started proceedings looking the more confident.

The early attacking opportunities all belonged to the visiting side, with Wales back-row Aaron Wainwright having a try chalked off after three minutes for obstruction.

There would be no referee intervention a few minutes later, with centre Fine Inisi scooping up a loose ball after Mason Grady failed to gather Aneurin Owen's kick-pass cleanly to power down the right wing.

Having bounced off one would-be tackler, he looked for support inside with Rio Dyer juggling his offload before eventually getting the ball under his control to slip it on to scrumhalf Che Hope in support.