Dragons snatch draw to halt losing away run

Josh Lewis’ 78th-minute penalty saw the Dragons snatch an 18-18 draw at fellow Pro14 strugglers Southern Kings to end a four-year losing run away from home in the competition.

The Dragons have been miserable on their travels and last won on the road in the league at Benetton Treviso in March 2015.

They remain bottom of Conference B – just below the Kings – but they at least rescued a point after an ill-disciplined contest in Port Elizabeth that had begun in fine fashion for the visitors.

Adam Warren lunged for the line for the opening try after just two minutes and the Dragons increased their lead when Lewis dispatched a penalty.

But the Kings similarly needed little time to turn the match in their favour, with Stefan Ungerer’s try followed by a superb individual effort from Bjorn Basson.

Some quality tries from both sides in the South African sun as the second-half opened up @SouthernKingsSA and @dragonsrugby sharing the spoils in a lively encounter #GUINNESSPRO14 #KINvDRA pic.twitter.com/DRXRVsn624

— PRO14 RUGBY (@PRO14Official) April 7, 2019

Bader Pretorius kicked with accuracy from the right flank for a penalty late in the first half and then, following the interval, Harlon Klaasen accelerated through to seemingly put the hosts in complete control.

However, the Dragons were soon back in the contest through Jordan Williams, before both sides received a pair of yellow cards.

Alulutho Tshakweni – just off the bench – and Leon Brown went after the scrum collapsed, while Lloyd Fairbrother did not use his arms in the tackle and then Michael Makase smashed into Williams.

The Kings looked to have held on until Lewis was presented with an opportunity to kick for the posts late on and duly delivered.

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