Dragons (7) 7
Tries: Thomas
Cons: McCarthy

Connacht got their Magners League season off to a winning start with a 22-7 victory over the Dragons.

Tim Donnelly did the damage for his side sending over four penalties, one conversion and drop-goal at Galway.

Martyn Thomas' converted try after only seven minutes was all the Dragons could manage on a disappointing evening for Paul Turner's side.

But once Robbie Morris crossed for his side to give Connacht the lead after 24 minutes the game was never in doubt.

Connacht went into half-time 19-7 up thanks to Donnelly's four penalties and a conversion from Morris' try.

And it looked as if the game would end that way after a dour second-half.

But Donnelly sent over an injury time drop-goal to help cement victory for his side, who open their domestic campaign with a success at the Sportsground.

Connacht: Durcan, Treviranus, Deane, Wynne, Yapp, Donnelly, McPhillips, Wilkinson, Flavin, Morris, Swift, Farley, Ofisa, J. O'Connor, J. Muldoon.
Replacements: Fogarty, Loughney, Gannon, McCarthy, Rigney, O'Loughlin, Riordan.

Newport-Gwent D'gons: M. Thomas, Wyatt, Davies, Smith, Mustoe, McCarthy, A. Williams, Black, S. Jones, R. Thomas, Hall, Sidoli, Ringer, Parks, Bearman.
Replacements: Daly, Gustafson, Charteris, Lydiatt, Fitisemanu, P. Dolman, W. Evans.

Att: 1,968