Lions shrug off Dragons challenge to finish URC on high note

The Lions not only finished their United Rugby Championship on a high note, but compounded the problems of the Dragons when they emerged 21-11 victors in Newport on Saturday.

The teams didn't have anything to play for but pride, with the Lions showing more desire than their hosts.

The Lions conceded the first try of the game, but fought back well with three tries of their own to consign the Dragons to their 15th defeat of the season in 18 matches.

The Lions' eighth win of the campaign saw them stay in 11th-place, but it was a more than satisfactory return for the Johannesburg side.

They moved past their struggles against the South African sides and improved significantly against European opposition.

If they can stem their player exodus and improve their squad depth, they'll have something to work with for next season.

After Rio Dyer's 21st-minute try saw them trail 5-0, they hit back through livewire wing Edwill van der Merwe in the 28th-minute.

Two Will Reed penalties in the 32nd and 40th minutes gave the hosts respite, but that was all she wrote for them.

The Ruans, Venter and Dreyer, took turns crashing over the Dragons line in the 44th and 53rd minute to stretch the Lions' advantage to 10 points.

Despite some endeavour from the hosts, the Lions were never truly threatened and came out as deserved winners.

Scorers 

Dragons: (11) 11

Try: Rio Dyer

Penalties: Will Reed (2)

Lions: (7) 21

Tries: Edwill van der Merwe, Ruan Venter, Ruan Dreyer

Conversions: Jordan Hendrikse (3)