Lions and Dragons draw in Challenge Cup thriller

Dragons RFC kick-started their Challenge Cup campaign with a respectable 31-31 draw against the Lions in Johannesburg but they should have left with a whole lot more.

The Welsh side came agonisingly close to securing their first ever victory on South African soil but couldn't quite seal the deal having squandered a couple of late opportunities to take all five match points.

In the end they were fortunate to avoid defeat with Lions outside-half Jordan Hendrikse's 58 metre penalty sailing just wide at the death, much to the relief of Ross Moriarty who was marched back 10 metres for backchat.

Still this was a strong start from the Dragons who host Pau at Rodney Parade next Saturday. There were a number of impressive individual performances with half-backs Rhodri Williams and Sam Davies outstanding but they couldn't quite shake off the plucky Lions.

Gianni Lombard kicked the hosts into an early 3-0 lead but the visitors hit back with a well-constructed try. Davies put width on the ball with a looping pass which found Jordan Williams who released Sean Lonsdale down the touchline. The blindside broke free before passing back inside to Williams for the opening try.

Davies added the extras but the Lions hit straight back when Lombard ghosted over from short range following a period of sustained pressure. The Dragons' rolling maul was putting the Lions under significant pressure and after Bradley Roberts was held up over the line they went again only this time Rhodri Williams succeeded in sneaking over.

There's an old rugby saying that you are most vulnerable immediately after scoring and this was exactly the case for the Dragons throughout this entertaining contest. The Lions hit straight back when replacement prop Asenathi