Dragons are quick to get in the mood for season

■By JOHN WHITE

Dragons ………….81pts Tries: Tu’itavuki 4, M Lloyd 10, 21; Richards 23, J Lloyd 30, Langton-Cryer 36, Williams 49, Douglas 53, Dee 65, Leary 67, 80; Enari 70, 73 Conversions: J Lloyd 10, 21, 23, 36; Ford 53, 65, 73, 80

Hartpury …………12pts Tries: Crane 44, 64 Conversion: James 45

DRAGONS produced a devastating attacking display to begin their pre-season campaign with a 13-try demolition of Hartpury at Rodney Parade.

The Welsh region had the contest effectively wrapped up by half-time after establishing a 38-0advantage, before adding another seven tries after the interval as Champ outfit Hartpury struggled to contain their pace and power.

New arrival Anzelo Tu’itavuki needed just four minutes to make his mark, finishing after Huw Anderson’s break and Morgan Lloyd’s clever grubber opened up the visitors.

Lloyd went from provider to scorer six minutes later, charging down a kick and regathering for Dragons’ second, before completing his double in the 21st minute.

Tu’itavuki’s offload released David Richards, whose pass sent Lloyd clear, with Jac Lloyd converting for 19-0.

Richards then produced a superb individual score after turnover ball, breaking clear and dummying the final defender before Jac Lloyd landed an excellent touchline conversion.

The fly-half was next over himself, completing a sweeping counter-attack involving Fetuli Paea, Tu’itavuki and Rhodri Williams. Barny Langton-Cryer’s try, following a powerful Paea carry from a lineout, completed a dominant first half.

Hartpury finally opened their account from close range four minutes after the restart, but Dragons quickly resumed their onslaught.

Williams finished a flowing counter-attack involving Jac Lloyd, Elliot Dee and Jared Rosser before Rosser’s break created another opportunity for Levi Douglas, who powered through the cover to make it 50-7.

Hartpury grabbed their second close-range try in the 64th minute, but Dragons responded with a brutal 31-point burst during the final quarter.

Dee was driven over from a maul before Brogan Leary pounced on Harry Rees-Weldon’s kick for his first. Ereatara Enari then marked his first appearance in Dragons colours with two tries in four minutes, initially supporting Rosser’s break before finishing another flowing move involving Harri Ford, Ryan Woodman and Rees-Weldon.

Leary had the final word in the 80th minute, collecting brilliantly at full pace and bursting through to score beneath the posts, with Ford converting.

Dragons finished with 13 tries and seven different try scorers, with Lloyd, Enari and Leary each claiming doubles in a hugely encouraging first pre-season outing.

■ No.8 Carwyn Tuipulotu played for Dragons in the second half but will not be signing for the Rodney Parade club. The 24-year-old has trained with Filo Tiatia’s squad while hunting a new club after his exit from Pau.