by Lestyn

Date: 3 January 2004

Gregor Townsend was the name on virtually everybody's lips in Netherdale, the outside half's shock move to South Africa was a very bitter pill to swallow a young team very much still in transition, but in truth the former Lion could have had little affect behind a well beaten Borders pack.

The signs were ominous for the Scot's, when Hal Luscombe a player who under Ruddock has come on leaps and bounds this season, split the Borders defence in two in a great break then slick handling allowed Owen to claim his first try of the night. Percy Montgomery back at full back after his brief flirtation with the number ten shirt at Welford road in the Heineken cup, compounded the Scottish strugglers misery even more with with a well taken try soon after, the South African kept the score board ticking over with penalties. 20-0 up and cruising.

Bruce Douglas gave the home side a glimmer of hope with a try just before half time but they never looked like coming close, particularly after Michael Owen drove over from short range for his second score of the night. Sub Sione Tuipolotu rounded of the night in injury time with the Dragons fourth and crucially bonus point claiming try.

Having coped so well without them, Owen and Montgomery's big impact will offer the Dragons who looked a little short on option at Leicester a big boost. However it would be foolish to read much into this one, with Borders looking very limited and un-experienced. Other than Samoa's World cup captain Semo Sititi they lacked the power to do any real damage.

Dragons coach Mike Ruddock wasn't completely convinced with his sides showing "I'm pleased we got the bonus point which was big for us, but we also showed rustiness and made a number of errors," he said.

"A lot of that was down to the way the Borders played, but, at 20-0 ahead after 20 minutes, we could have expected to score 40, 50 or even 60 points.

"But they rallied well and made it difficult for us.

"We will have to step it up against Stade Francais next week, but, given that we had to travel today and had no game for three weeks, with an early start - some from 5am, hopefully we will put it right next week."

Ruddock believes his side can consider themselves contenders for the Celtic League "Now we have got to believe we can challenge for the league," he said. "Let's believe we can do it."

Borders 15: Tries: G Morton, B Douglas; Con: G Morton; Pen: G Morton.
Dragons 38: Tries: M Owen 2, P Montgomery, S Tuipulutou; Cons: P Montgomery 3; Pens: P Montgomery 4.

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