DHL Stormers boss John Dobson was left with very combined feelings following his staff’s 44-21 victory over Dragons RFC at Rodney Parade.
On the one hand, it was their first league win exterior of South Africa this season, whereas choosing up most factors has boosted their play-off prospects.
However when it comes to the general show, he was deeply disenchanted, together with his staff having been trailing 21-16 with simply quarter-hour left to play.
“I’m actually sad. It was a woeful efficiency,” he stated.
“However I’ve received to take a look at how a lot was the Dragons’ wonderful stress and the way a lot was us being poor.
“We have been terrible, however I’ve received a humorous feeling it was attributable to the Dragons.
“My phrase, the ultimate scoreline was in all probability one of many extra unfair ones I’ve seen in rugby.
“I assumed we have been in a whole lot of bother. The Dragons have been intelligent. That they had the territory, the possession, the group received behind them. The noise was one thing else.
“For a staff that has nothing to play for to provide that, it’s exceptional credit score to them. There’s actual pleasure in that staff. They didn’t deserve 44-21.”
The Dragons had led 11-10 on the break by way of a strive from flanker Harri Keddie and went again in entrance simply earlier than the hour mark when excellent Wales No 8 Aaron Wainwright stretched out to the road.
“Once they received the rumble at 21-16 and that singing was coming down, we thought there was just one winner right here,” stated Dobson.
“So credit score to us for preventing our means out of it.”
Crucially, the Stormers received on prime within the scrum within the last quarter, leading to a yellow card for Dragons prop Rodrigo Martinez, they usually capitalised by racking up 4 tries within the last quarter-hour, with alternative Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu including a late double to Angelo Davids’ earlier brace.
“I assumed within the final ten minutes, you noticed what we will do when the sport opens,” stated Dobson.
“If we had misplaced, our season would have ended.
“We’re preventing for our lives and we have been virtually gone.
“I’ve received actually combined feelings. We have now received the factors, however now we have to be a lot better.
“We received away with one there, very a lot so.”
United Rugby Championship
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15
As for the entire expertise of visiting Newport, Dobson stated: “I completely find it irresistible.
“I really like the drive in right here, the individuals, the pie retailers. They’re such good individuals right here on the Dragons as properly.
“Simply the title Rodney Parade evokes a lot.
“Rising up, I knew what Newport was. That is one thing that takes you again in a pleasant strategy to the previous period, the environment, the individuals and I hope it goes from energy to energy.
“Hear, I believe a whole lot of groups would have additionally struggled right here tonight.”
The Stormers now journey to Galway to tackle play-off rivals Connacht subsequent Saturday earlier than concluding the common season by internet hosting the Lions in Cape City.
“I believe another win ought to get us into the highest eight,” stated director of rugby Dobson.
“I believe the defeat to the Ospreys took us out of the house quarter.
“We’re going to be going away someplace nasty later.”
Responding to Dobson’s heat phrases, Dragons coach Dai Flanagan stated: “Everybody picks their full energy staff once they come to the Parade and there’s no coincidence behind that.
“That’s due to our followers and the way uncomfortable we make it for away groups and lengthy could that proceed.
“This crowd is unbelievable, how they’ve caught with us by way of the hardship of the season, understanding there have been large monetary cuts in Welsh rugby and that they’ll occur once more subsequent yr.
“It’s a season the place they in all probability couldn’t have caught with us. They drive us on rather well and we have to give it again to them.”
On the best way the sport went in opposition to the Stormers, he stated: “For 65 minutes, we executed every thing we had spoken about within the week rather well.
“If we will do this bodily for 65, why can’t we do it for 75, 80? However, additionally, shedding is a behavior like profitable is a behavior. We have to flip the tide.”
The Dragons now journey to Swansea to tackle the Ospreys subsequent weekend earlier than concluding their marketing campaign with a Judgement Day conflict with the Scarlets on the Cardiff Metropolis Stadium.
“It’s very good for us – two derbies. What a strategy to end the season,” stated Flanagan.
“We have now received nothing to lose and it’s a possibility to go and categorical ourselves.”
