Dragons safely through

Newport Gwent Dragons reached the LV= Cup semi-finals with a 26-9 victory over Welsh rivals Scarlets.

The visitors had nothing to play for after Gloucester won their group on Saturday, but they provided a stern test for Dragons nevertheless.

Led by prop Phil John and including ex-Wales and Dragons tight-head Rhys Thomas, they had the upper hand at the scrummages, which gave them a useful platform.

The Pool Two leaders took the advantage early on when outside-half Matthew Jones slotted a simple 20-metre penalty.

Visiting full-back Dan Evans replied for the visitors with a huge 43-metre shot between the posts, before Jones restored the home lead on the half-hour when presented with a ten-metre chance in front of the posts.

Matters were not helped for the Scarlets when John was caught at the bottom of a ruck with what seemed like a leg injury that saw him stretchered off.

But the Scarlets managed to go into the break on equal terms when they drove into the home 22 and were rewarded with a penalty that Evans knocked over.

And the Scarlets took the lead for the first time after the interval when they came close to scoring the opening try, as Thomas led the drives that took them towards the home line.

Dragons wing Aled Brew, though, gave the visitors another penalty when he dived into a ruck offside and Evans obliged with the boot again.

Powerful move

But the Dragons finally got their act together and grabbed the first try after a powerful move into the 22, where wing Adam Hughes set up a ruck.

Evans spotted the sizeable frame of 6ft 7in second row Luke Charteris on the left wing, quickly got the ball out to him and the ex-Wales lock just evaded Aaron Shingler's attempted tackle to touch down in the corner.

Jones missed the conversion but kicked his third penalty to give his side a 14-9 lead.

And, just after the hour, the Dragons pulled away as full-back Martyn Thomas, just back from a leg injury, crashed over twice in the left corner.

The first try came when Jones fed centre Pat Leach to put the full-back in, with Jones adding a superb touchline conversion.

Then, with eight minutes of the game left, the Dragons drove the Scarlets eight back on their own line, setting-up numerous rucks until the ball was spun through replacement stand-off Jason Tovey for centre Pat Leach to throw a long pass out to the unmarked Thomas.