Dragons (20) 49
Tries: Harries 3, W Evans, Smith, Fussell, M Thomas Con: Evans, Arlidge 3 Pens: Arlidge 2
Edinburgh 28
Tries: MacDonald, penalty try, Cairns, Ford Cons: Godman 4

Newport Gwent Dragons boosted their play-off hopes with a comprehensive Magners League win over Edinburgh at Rodney Parade.

But in a free-scoring encounter the visitors took a bonus point for scoring four tries to overtake Munster and rise into the fourth play-off spot.

Edinburgh's bonus point also makes life harder for the Dragons and their Welsh rivals Cardiff Blues.

Will Harries' try hat-trick provided the home side's highlight.

The Dragons got off to a promising start as prop Hugh Gustafson broke away before handing a superb offload to scrum-half Wayne Evans, who made the line without a hand being laid on him.

James Tovey failed with the angled conversion of that 10th-minute score and then saw the visitors take the lead as opposite number Phil Godman created space with a dummy for flanker Alan MacDonald to go over.

Godman converted to give the visitors the lead, but a minute later the hosts were back in the lead.

606: DEBATE I don't think I'd object to the entire Dragons 22 minus the foreigners being taken to New Zealand Knowsit17

Skipper Tom Willis burst away at the front of a line-out and as the ball came back infield, lock Luke Charteris combined with Harries to send Ashley Smith over.

Tovey took a bang on the head as Smith headed for the line and was soon replaced by James Arlidge, leaving scrum-half Evans with the goal-kicking responsibility that he took by converting Smith's score.

Lock Scott McLeod went close for Edinburgh before Gustafson was sin-binned amid a rash of indiscretions by the home side.

However, the hosts did not learn the lesson and at the subsequent scrum conceded a penalty try which gave Godman the conversion chance to put his side back into the lead.

Arlidge edged the hosts back in front with a 34th-minute penalty and after Harries went close and Arlidge's cross kick to Toby Faletau bounced harmlessly into touch, the Dragons took a decisive lead.

Gustafson was again involved, finding wing Richard Fussell, who sent Harries on the way to the line.

Arlidge failed with the conversion for the hosts to lead 20-14 at the break, but the fly-half made amends soon after with a penalty.

Edinburgh wing Tim Visser had a try ruled out for a push on full-back Martyn Thomas as they chased a high ball.

At the other end Harries scored his second try as flanker Gavin Thomas' pass allowed him to squeeze outside Mark Robertson.

Harries completed his hat-trick in the 57th minute, Thomas again providing the scoring pass - this time sending the ball back inside for the impressive wing to race clear.

Centre Cairns scythed through to give Edinburgh hope and after Fussell scored his try and Martyn Thomas hared away for a memorable score, hooker Ross Ford drove over to claim what could prove to be a crucial touchdown for the Scottish side.

Dragons coach Paul Turner:
"I was a bit disappointed near the end that we've given them a bonus point because they are above us in the league, but I would have taken that this morning.

"It was another great game here, maybe not one for the connoisseur - there was a lot of attacking rugby and not a lot of defence, but fortunately most of the poor defence came from them.

"The Blues game here on Friday will be great, we're looking upwards at the play-offs now.

"Jason Tovey had a bit of a bump to the head but I think he's ok, we hope he will be right for Friday night."

Newport-Gwent Dragons: M Thomas; Harries, Watkins, Smith, Fussell; Tovey, W Evans; Gustafson, Willis, Palmer, Sidoli, Charteris, Bearman, G. Thomas, Falatau.
Replacements: Riley for Watkins (37), Arlidge for Tovey (16), Walker for W Evans (72), Burns for Willis (63), Castle for Palmer (48), MacDonald for Charteris (51), Coombs for Bearman (44).

Edinburgh: Thompson; Robertson, Cairns, Houston, Visser; Godman, M Blair; Jacobsen, Ford, G Cross, MacLeod, J Hamilton, MacDonald, Rennie, Callam.
Replacements: Traynor for Visser (67), Laidlaw for M Blair (73), Kelly for Ford (73), R Grant for Rennie (50), MacKenzie for Callam (60).
Not Used: D Blair, Webster.

Att: 7,500

Ref: James Jones (WFU).

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