Elliot Dee scores twice as Dragons beat Scarlets 38-26 in Welsh derby

Dragons beat Scarlets 38-26 at Rodney Parade in a United Rugby Championship derby featuring 10 tries, with Wales hooker Elliot Dee scoring twice for the hosts. According to BBC Sport Wales, a crowd of 7,163 watched Dragons recover from a 14-12 half-time deficit to secure their first victory after an opening draw with Benetton.

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Macs Page gave Scarlets the early advantage with an individual try, beating the defence and gathering his own chip. Dragons replied through Anzelo Tuitavuki, who registered his first try for the club, before Dee finished a driving attack. Page then crossed again after Eddie James broke through midfield and Sam Costelow supplied the pass. Costelow's conversion left the visitors two points ahead at the interval.

Dragons regained the initiative immediately after the restart. Rio Dyer secured the kick-off, and a move involving fly-half de Beer and full-back Huw Anderson developed into a Tuitavuki break. Blair Murray stopped the winger with a tap tackle, but Rodrigo Martinez was in support to score. De Beer converted to put the home side back in front.

Scarlets threatened through another James charge and a Page chip, but Mee lost possession over the line. Replacement prop Sam O'Connor subsequently forced his way across for their third try, with Costelow converting to restore the visitors' lead. Dragons responded after Scarlets conceded penalties from the restart. Thomas Young was held up before Anderson finished in the right corner for the hosts' fourth try.

A further Dyer break led to Scarlets captain Josh Macleod receiving a yellow card for a professional foul. Dragons capitalised when Dee crossed from another drive, completing his double before being substituted. Scarlets still managed a response while down to 14 players, using a quick line-out in an attack that ended with replacement Ioan Jones scoring their bonus-point try.

Rob Hunt then supplied the final Dragons try to settle the contest. His finish was the fourth try scored by a member of the home front row, alongside Dee's two and Martinez's effort. The result kept Dragons unbeaten following their 19-19 draw with Benetton, while Scarlets suffered a second successive derby defeat after losing 21-15 at home to Cardiff.

Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia said, in comments reported by BBC Sport Wales, that his side had not made enough of their first-half possession and territory. He praised the group after the victory while emphasising the need to keep improving and take opportunities when they arise.