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Jones hails defensive show from Dragons

Forwards Coach Ceri Jones hailed the defensive show from the Dragons as they battled to a deserved 18-12 win over Edinburgh in the Guinness PRO14.

Ben Mottram | 25/11/2018

Wing Jared Rosser grabbed a try double before a resolute and hard-working Dragons dug in deep to repel a late charge from the Scottish side and claim the victory. 

“It was a really good performance that was based on our defence,” said Jones. “We can now build on this result and the work rate was key. 

“We played for each other, scrambled really hard and kept going all the way through the game. They are a good young group.

“We worked hard for the shirt, for each other and to make the whole region proud. We couldn’t ask for any more from them tonight.

“They had to dig deep against a quality side and we did just that.

“Ollie Griffiths was excellent, Harrison Keddie was very good and Tyler Morgan still has sore ribs but he dug for us. Hallam was also superb.”

Dragons had to withstand huge pressure from Edinburgh at the end of both halves but Jones was delighted with the way the home side stood up to the test.

“I’ve known Richard (Cockerill) for a long time and he is always going to be pragmatic in his approach,” he said. 

“He wants to get you into your defensive zone and then put the squeeze on.

“I thought we dealt with that well and it was built on work rate.

“Bernard has done a superb job all week preparing the team and the boys responded really well this evening, given any pressures from outside,” he added.

“He has put a huge amount of effort into this performance, especially given the week we have had and all that is going on. He deserves credit for that performance tonight."

Dragons are next in action on home soil on Saturday afternoon when they face the might of league and European champions Leinster (kick-off 5.30pm).

“It’s a tough game – it always is with Leinster,” smiled Jones. 

“They have most of the Ireland team so it is going to be hard. But all we can do is go out there and put our best performance in.

“The Wales boys will be back in the mix and we will see how we shape up from this effort.

“We have a hard run of games now and then into the Christmas derby games. But we can build on this and we’re pleased with the effort and performance.”

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