Poor quality rugby combined with a terrible start left the Isuzu Southern Kings playing catch-up, losing 27-22 to the Dragons, head coach Deon Davids said.
The Kings mounted a fighting comeback after falling behind 17-0 after 21 minutes in an action-packed Guinness PRO14 clash at the Rodney Parade on Saturday.
At the end, the jittery Dragons escaped with narrow win.
At half time the Dragons held a slender 17-10 lead, and were left hanging on at the end after the Kings scored a late try via the explosive Yaw Penxe.
“Even though we came close in this game, I am not happy with the quality of rugby we are playing,” Davids said.
“We had a terrible start and allowed the opposition to get ahead of us.
“From that point on we had to play catch-up rugby. There were too many poor decisions.
“We created good opportunities, but we did not round them off and our decisionmaking let us down
“I also felt that our kicking out of hand in terms of field kicks – it was not up to standard.
“The Kings put themselves into good situations, but unfortunately we lost the set piece and that gave an easy exit to the Dragons.”
Dragons coach Bernard Jackman admitted his team rode their luck against an attack-minded Kings outfit.
“I am frustrated that we didn’t kick on at 17-0 but we spoke last week about [getting] some timing together,” he said.
“We just got a bit loose and didn’t put the foot down, accelerate and put the game out of their reach.
“They got their dander up and we got a bit nervous.
“That played into their hands, but we just needed to win by hook or by crook to settle everybody down.”
“Our physicality was exceptional, we were making big hits, but we got a bit narrow and they are probably the team in the competition who will attack that space on the outside better than anyone else.
“There is lots to work on, but we just needed to get that win to get started.”
Wales and Lions No 8 Ross Moriarty played the full game on his debut after his summer move from Gloucester and earned Jackman’s praise.
“Moriarty was excellent for 80 minutes and our back row in general has the potential to be really good,” he said.
“They just need time playing together.
“He said he felt sluggish, so I am looking forward to seeing him when he is feeling better.
“I thought that when we needed him, he gave us that goforward.
“The boys feel better with him in the group because he doesn’t talk any nonsense and is a man of action.”
Dragons flyhalf Ollie Griffiths opened the scoring with a wonderful effort after just four minutes and Aaron Wainwright got his name on the board before the Kings’ Michael Willemse struck back.
Bjorn Basson also touched down in the first half and Godlen Masimla’s converted try brought the scores level heading into the final quarter.
But Lewis notched his second penalty and then converted his own score, meaning Penxe’s late effort secured a bonus point but could not steal the win.
Scorers
Dragons
Tries: Ollie Griffiths, Aaron Wainwright and Josh Lewis; Conversions: Josh Lewis (3); Penalties: Josh Lewis (2).
Southern Kings
Tries: Michael Willemse, Bjorn Basson, Godlen Masimla and Yaw Penxe; Conversion: Masixole Banda.