Dragons down Worcester to boost Challenge Cup qualification hopes

The Dragons saw off Worcester 25-16 in their European Challenge Cup clash at Rodney Parade to stay on course for the knockout stage.

The Welsh club had lost the reverse fixture last weekend, but produced a response to stand two points clear at the top of Pool One.

Wales fly-half Sam Davies bettered the testing conditions to make all seven of his kicks.

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Dragons centre Adam Warren scored the opening try inside two minutes after being picked out on the left wing before Davies added eight points in quick succession with the conversion and two penalties.

Worcester hit back, though, and Scotland international Duncan Weir reduced the arrears to 13-9 at half-time with three penalties before Tom Howe’s converted try put the English side ahead 16-13.

However, four more penalties from the steady boot of Davies saw the Dragons home – with Worcester prop Ethan Waller having been shown a late red card for a high tackle.

Mark McCall is unleashing the cavalry against Munster as Saracens try to prolong their shaky Champions Cup title defence https://t.co/ehSwJoFoIC

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 13, 2019

A second loss from four matches leaves Worcester in third place, three points behind Castres and five behind Dragons.

The French side defeated Russian side Enisei-STM 22-10 at Stade Pierre Fabre earlier on Friday, Geoffrey Palis scoring two of their four tries, to record a bonus-point win and a third straight Pool One victory.

In Pool Four, Brive beat Zebre 24-10 to keep themselves in the hunt for qualification to the quarter-finals.

After falling behind to an early penalty, a converted try from scrum-half Vasil Lobzhanidze put the hosts in front to lead 10-3 at half-time.

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Georgia international Lobzhanidze crossed again soon after the restart, with another converted try from Thomas Acquier sealing victory as the French side moved into second behind leaders Bristol.

Tomasso Boni scored a late consolation for Zebre.

The Pool Five match between Pau and Cardiff Blues was postponed by the local authority on health and safety grounds following persistent, heavy rain around the Stade du Hameau.

The game has been rescheduled for Saturday afternoon.

– Press Association

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