Hooker James Benjamin admitted he relished every second of his first start in the front row for Dragons RFC in South Africa.
Benjamin has been converted to hooker over the last few seasons and was rewarded for his progress with a start against Emirates Lions in the BKT United Rugby Championship clash in Johannesburg.
The former back row – who earlier this season was on loan at Hartpury RFC - impressed throughout at Emirates Airline Park and even grabbed a late try to spark comeback hopes.
“I loved it,” reflected Benjamin. “It is another learning curve for me and a step up from what I have played in the past at hooker. I’m happy to get the first start.
“I can’t take credit for the try. That is the whole pack with the driving maul. I was just happy to get over.
“We are proud we stayed in the game right until the end, but we did leave some chances out there which is disappointing,” he added.
“We needed to be a bit more disciplined with our running lines and a bit more patient.
“We created a lot, and it is always tough coming here. You always know you are going to be in a fight for 80 minutes.
“We left a few tries out there and with the South African teams you can’t switch off for one minute - they can score from anything.
“The set piece was always going to be tough and the territory battle, but we are proud for sticking at it.”
Dragons now jet south to Port Elizabeth to prepare to face champions the DHL Stormers on Saturday (kick-off 12noon UK).
And Benjamin is aware of the challenge ahead for the Men of Gwent.
“It’s more of the same. We need to be patient with the ball and not let the game get too loose,” he said.
“We need to stay disciplined with what we want to do with the ball and then physically put them under pressure when they have the ball.
“We need to get as much parity at the set piece as we can, and we will then be in the game.”
It is another learning curve for me and a step up from what I have played in the past at hooker... I’m happy to get the first start...
