Mason Grady try the difference as Cardiff claim 17th league win in a row over Dragons

Mason Grady proved to be the difference as Cardiff claimed the east Wales bragging rights and their 17th league win in a row against the Dragons with a 9-16 victory.

This was a fiercely contested affair in Newport but in all honesty it was low on quality and Warren Gatland will be desperate to see the standard rise at regional level ahead of the Six Nations. The Dragons threw everything at Cardiff in the second half but lacked a cutting edge behind the scrum and in the end Matt Sherratt's side deserved the four points.

Ultimately the boot of South African playmaker Tinus de Beer and Grady's breakaway try proved to be the difference. The Dragons had plenty of opportunities, and were made to rue a missed chance from wing Jared Rosser who fumbled the ball forward with the try line at his mercy in the early stages of the second half.

Dai Flanagan's side were dealt an early blow when experienced Wales international Dan Lydiate pulled out this morning for personal reasons while they were also hit with an injury crisis as Harrison Keddie, Rodrigo Martinez and Sean Lonsdale were all forced from the field.

Angus O'Brien and de Beer swapped penalties during the early exchanges of this tight contest but the South African won the kicking contest hands down. Cardiff were successful in exploiting the Dragons' rush defence with some neat chips over the top and should have scored but Grady's pass failed to find Theo Cabango just metres from the try line.

The Dragons sparked into life when an excellent box kick from Dane Blacker got taken by Rosser who galloped up field. But the Dragons' attack went the wrong way and O'Brien's kick got deflected into the hands of Cardiff lock Teddy Williams.

The Wales international found Grady and the