Sharks 51-3 Dragons: Welsh region concede three yellow cards as miserable mini-tour ends in another thrashing

The Dragons were thrashed 51-3 by the Sharks in Durban as they conceded three yellow cards and lost Ross Moriarty to a serious injury.

The Welsh side showed up well in the opening quarter. The welcome return of Will Rowlands and Moriarty was having the desired effect, with the latter showing up particularly well and relishing the physicality.

Curwin Bosch kicked the first of his penalties, though, inside the first 10 minutes when Ben Fry was penalised for a neck roll at a breakdown in his own half. The Sharks pivot stepped up, after a difficult outing last week, and knocked over the first points of the match.

READ MORE: Ross Moriarty suffers serious injury on Dragons return as cries of pain heard in stadium

Captain Harri Keddie started showing up well physically too but he couldn’t stop the Sharks doubling their lead minutes later. The Dragons scrum was getting absolutely steamrolled early doors and it resulted in Bosch adding another three points.

The Welsh side struggled to impose themselves with the ball but they made yards when Josh Lewis, earning his 50th appearance for the Dragons, regathered his own kick. The field position resulted in the Sharks going offside and Lewis himself knocked the kick over.

MIdway through the half, though, Bosch added another penalty before the evening turned miserable for the visitors. Moriarty suffered what appeared to be a serious left knee injury after getting in an awkward position whilst tackling Phepsi Buthelezi. When the game restarted, the Sharks scored almost immediately. Big carries from some big men made serious dents in the Dragons 22 and it was Springbok prop Ox Nche who powered through four defenders from close range to score under the sticks.

And the Sharks’ power came to