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Fraser Watson

  1. Thank you for joining us

    FT: Benetton 74-21 Dragons

    Well you can't argue with 95 points being scored in a European game, just regrettably, 74 of them went to Benetton.

    After the festive cheer it's back down to earth for Dragons, but this isn't a defeat, or performance, that will spark too much of an inquest.

    The hosts were at full strength with a vastly experienced international line-up - while the visitors left out key players and of course, were without Aaron Wainwright due to injury.

    It's now a six day turnaround before hosting Newcastle. That night, we'll learn if Filo Tiatia's selection choices for this trip will be justified.

    Matthew Screech tackledHuw Evans Picture Agency

  2. FT: Benetton 74-21 Dragons

    Benetton Man of the Match, Jacob Umaga, speaking on S4C: "We needed a reaction after the close loss to Edinburgh last week.

    "We needed a reaction to the home fans and family, and when things go right for us we’re dangerous.

    "We’re really happy with the reaction we gave.

    "It’s been a challenge to get control and keeping it, but our downfall is letting teams get into the game and tonight we had control over that."

  3. FT: Benetton 74-21 Dragons

    Chris Horsman
    Former Wales prop on BBC Radio Wales

    Everything went wrong from a Dragons perspective.

    There was a method, you can argue if it’s the right or wrong way but tonight, you can confidently say it’s the wrong method.

    The first 20 minutes, every time the Dragons had the ball they gave it back to Benetton who capitalised.

    Defensively, they couldn’t stop Benetton, and eventually the dam just broke.

    From a Dragons perspective, that’s the worse it could’ve got. It’s been four steps forward the past few weeks, but tonight that was 10 steps back.

  4. Full-time: Benetton 74-21 Dragons

    No shortage of entertainment at least.

    But on a harrowing night for Dragons, that is that.

  5. try

    Converted try: Benetton 74-21 Dragons

    Marin try, Umaga con

    There's the try, but not at the end we wanted it.

    Morgan Lloyd breaks out of his 22 and as he advances into to the Benetton half, he's tackled and is pinged for holding on.

    Benetton being merciless, rather than end the game. Jacob Umaga boots them to the corner for one last attack. It culminates with Marin again finishing well out wide for a converted score.

  6. try

    Converted try: Benetton 67-21 Dragons

    Lewis-Hughes try, Lloyd con

    Oh hello.

    Dragons are now fighting for a bonus point after great work from Thomas Young sends number eight Shane Lewis-Hughes on an unopposed run to the line.

    Jac Lloyd converts and now Dragons have 60 seconds to salvage something.

    They surely can't, can they?

  7. try

    Converted try: Benetton 67-14 Dragons

    Marin try, Umaga con

    If you're a Dragons fan you may now be thinking 'please make it end'.

    Replacement Leonardo Marin becomes the latest try scorer as he breaks a tackle out wide and stretches over. Jacob Umaga then does what Jacob Umaga does.

  8. Benetton 60-14 Dragons

    Huw Andersen has had some great moments tonight. That wasn't one of them.

    He opts for a grubber kick that the home side easily gather and moments later, Dragons are back on halfway and conceding a penalty.

    Jacob Umaga, just as he's confirmed as the official player of the match, kicks into the 22.

  9. Benetton 60-14 Dragons

    Somehow, Dragons have got to try and fashion two try scoring chances here and come away with what would be a precious bonus point.

    Here's a potential platform with a scrum 25 metres out.

  10. Benetton 60-14 Dragons

    Chris Horsman
    Former Wales prop on BBC Radio Wales

    We were worried this was going to happen, but here we are.

    Umaga has not done anything flash but he’s pulled the strings for Benetton and it’s paid off.

  11. try

    Converted try: Benetton 60-14 Dragons

    Lynagh try, Umaga con

    Another superb team score.

    Again Jacob Umaga is involved, setting Paulo Odogwu free down the left, and the Fijian, in true Fijian style, throws a one handed American football style pass inside to Louis Lynagh to score again.

    Umaga converts from out wide. He's a better kicker than his uncle Tana was, that's for sure.

  12. try

    Converted try: Benetton 53-14 Dragons

    Umaga try and con

    Oh dear, interception time.

    You can't blame Dragons for throwing it about from deep now. But replacement Jac Lloyd sees his pass intercepted by Jacob Umaga, and he basically jogs under the posts from 50 metres.

    I guess Dragons might as well die trying here.

  13. Benetton 46-14 Dragons

    Benetton now ringing the changes. But bare in mind their bench alone boasts nearly 200 international caps.

  14. Benetton 46-14 Dragons

    Chris Horsman
    Former Wales prop on BBC Radio Wales

    It’s good to see Rio back, he throws himself into a game when it’s needed.

    The conversation has started for the Dragons now, two tries, we get one point, especially with the shake down against Newcastle next week, that would prove vital.

  15. converted try

    Converted try: Benetton 46-14 Dragons

    Dyer try, De Beer con

    The Dragons get a second try!

    That came from nowhere, but Huw Anderson looks to be held up in attack before giving a 'round the back' pass to Rio Dyer.

    The winger then speeds in from long range unopposed and I'm not sure the crowd could really gauge what happened.

    De Beer converts and now Dragons have something to play for. Two tries for a bonus point.

  16. Benetton 39-7 Dragons

    Elinor Snowsill
    Former Wales fly-half on S4C

    Even if it’s not going your way, that is too easy and the Dragons are handing it to Benetton.

    The Dragons are not winning the fast ball, and Benetton are making it look too easy in that space.

  17. try

    Converted try: Benetton 46-7 Dragons

    Odogwu try, Umaga con

    This is relentless.

    Paulo Odogwu catches a cross-field kick and expertly flicks a bass to Malakai Fekitoa - who then gives an inside ball back to his centre partner for his second try.

    Jacob Umaga makes no mistake with the simple kick.

  18. Benetton 39-7 Dragons

    Chris Horsman
    Former Wales prop on BBC Radio Wales

    It’s just far too easy for the hosts.

    Initially the Dragons did well on the driving front and put Benetton on the back foot.

    But Rio Dyer has to go back on his wing, look at the work rate between Lynagh and Dyer, is that a system error or just ball watching?

  19. try

    Try: Benetton 39-7 Dragons

    Lynagh try

    It was coming...

    From the lineout, more pressure follows and No.9 Andrew Uren throws out a superb left handed pass straight to Louis Lynagh out wide.

    The winger (and yes you'll recognise the surname), strolls in from there.

    Jacob Umaga can't convert but this could become a rout now.

  20. Benetton 34-7 Dragons

    Understandably, Filo Tiatia is emptying the bench with Thomas Young the latest man to be sent on.

    He can't stem the ride though. Another Benetton penalty and Jacob Umaga boots them to the corner. Dragons look tired here.

    Could be a long 29 minutes.