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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Steffan Thomas

Glasgow Warriors 73-33 Dragons RFC: Welsh side annihilated by rampant Scots in Challenge Cup rout

Dragons RFC have been dumped out of the Challenge Cup after the Welsh side got annihilated by a rampant Glasgow at Scotstoun.

An injury-ravaged Dragons side have now lost 12 out of their last 15 fixtures in all competitions and were blown away by Glasgow who saw hooker Johnny Matthews touch down for a sensational five tries.

Poor discipline has played a big part in their struggles with Dai Flanagan's side receiving their third red card in as many games when prop Aki Seiuli was given his marching orders just before half-time.

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Flanagan's side still have a soft underbelly as the conceded 11 tries in Scotland.

The Dragons made a nightmare start as they conceded their first try after a mere three minutes. Glasgow wing Kyle Steyn broke straight through a powderpuff Dragons defensive line before drawing in the final defender to put George Horne over for the try.

Glasgow soon extended their lead when hooker Johnny Matthews powered over from short-range courtesy of a well-worked driving lineout.

At 14-0 down many would have expected the Dragons to capitulate but to their credit they refused to throw in the towel.

Aaron Wainwright got them onto the front foot with an explosive carry which won the visitors field position deep in the Glasgow 22. A tremendous flat pass from scrum-half Rhodri Williams took out two defenders to allow Jordan Williams to stroll over at the far left-hand corner.

But this proved to be nothing more than a brief respite as Glasgow hit back when Allan Dell broke clear before putting Matthews over for his second try.

And the hooker was soon celebrating a hat-trick of tries when he smashed his way over after a period of sustained pressure from the hosts.

Despite getting outclassed there was at least plenty of fight in the Dragons and another assist from lively number nine Williams put Wales wing Rio Dyer over.

But things got even tougher for the visitors when Aki Seiuli got red carded for making direct contact with Peter Horne's head while attempting to clear out.

Glasgow made the most of their numerical advantage with Matthews touching down for a remarkable fourth try.

But the Dragons hit back from a tremendous try which saw Jared Rosser carrying hard from short-range for their third try meaning the visitors trailed 33-19 at the interval.

They may have been competitive during the first half but the second 40 minutes was a complete and utter horror show for the men of Gwent.

Glasgow hooker Matthews was unplayable scoring a sensational fifth effort shortly after the interval before his opposite number Elliot Dee claimed one back.

The Dragons had no way of stopping the home side's driving lineout and this time it was Matthews' replacement George Turner who benefitted from the Scottish side's dominant maul.

Glasgow were on fire and the wheels had well and truly come off the Dragons' chariot as dangerous wing Cole Forbes finished a length-of-the-field try.

The floodgates had opened with Scotland's Six Nations star Huw Jones next to touch down for the hosts after some lovely interplay between backs and forwards before Steyn crossed for their 10th try.

Dee proceeded to claim a brace of tries but Glasgow had the last laugh with Steyn scoring his second.

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