RaboDirect PRO12: Dragons hold off Munster rally
Tom Prydie kicked 17 points to lead the Dragons to a hard-fought 30-24 victory over Munster at Rodney Parade.
Last Updated: 19/04/13 9:59pm
Although Paddy Butler's try had briefly given the Irish province the lead early in the game, the visitors struggled throughout the rest of the first half.
That changed after the interval as a superb second period saw Ronan O'Mahony, CJ Stander and Johne Murphy go over for tries, but Wardle's late intervention sealed the win for the Dragons.
Munster's chances of making the RaboDirect PRO12 play-offs were ended last week following their defeat to Leinster, while the Dragons' season is also effectively over having endured yet another disappointing campaign in the lower reaches of the league.
But with nothing to play for, both teams served up an entertaining opening quarter. Prydie opened the scoring for the hosts with a penalty before Butler's try took the visitors into an early 5-3 lead.
However, the Dragons took command of proceedings and their full-back restored their advantage with a second three-pointer.
Jones then crossed the whitewash for a converted score as the home side went further ahead with 21 minutes gone.
And after Butler had been sent into the sin bin for Munster, Prydie added a penalty and fly-half Jones kicked a drop-goal to make it 19-5 in the Welsh region's favour at the interval.
The second period initially followed the same pattern with the Dragons dictating the play and the accurate boot of their kicker took them 17 points clear.
But the visiting team gradually found their fluency and O'Mahony went over to reduce the arrears before converted tries from Slander and Murphy put Munster ahead.
However, a superbly worked move ended in Wardle touching down. Prydie then kicked a late penalty to complete a fine win.
