‘Undertaker’ Mustoe in at the death

Jan 2 2008 Western Mail

THE ‘Undertaker’ struck at the death to give the Dragons a dramatic triumph and prevent the Scarlets moving to the top of the Magners League.

All-action winger Richard Mustoe, who acquired the nickname after working for a funeral director, had earlier made a charge which was more reminiscent of ‘Robocop.’

But his try, after the Gwent region bravely opted to move the ball wide from a scrum with just four seconds left on the clock, was a mere flop over the line with the hard work having been done for him.

Richard Fussell, who had come in off the left wing to receive the ball in a set move in midfield, managed to get a pass away to Kevin Morgan despite being under severe pressure.

Wales international Morgan looked sure to be collared, but stepped out of a tackle, accelerated and drew the cover before putting the unmarked Mustoe over in the corner to send home fans in the 6,782 crowd – Dragons’ highest at Rodney Parade in the league this campaign – wild with joy.

“It was good work by ‘Fuss’ and Kevin to put me over,” beamed the 26-year-old Mustoe following a hectic encounter.

“I only had about four inches to go, but it seemed like a long time for the ball to get in my hands.

“The thought of knocking on was going through my head.

“It was a huge win for us and the crowd, because they have been very patient of late.”

Whole-hearted trier Mustoe was referring to a run of results stretching back to last October which had seen them win just once, against Treviso in Italy on December 8, in nine outings.

Dragons were in desperate need of a morale-boosting triumph after pushing the Blues at Cardiff Arms Park on Boxing Day and it finally arrived – in the 10th minute of added time!

Scarlets would have leapt from fourth to the head of the Magners had they held on for those extra four seconds.

They did pick up a losing bonus point to climb above Munster into third in the standings, two points behind the Blues and three adrift of leaders Leinster, but were kicking themselves after the New Year's Day defeat – it was the first time in the five years of regional rugby the Dragons have done the double over them – for not closing out the game.

But young outside-half Rhys Priestland, deputising for former Wales captain Stephen Jones, was wide with a difficult penalty in the 77th minute.

Try opportunities were also squandered with Dragons captain Colin Charvis pulling off a masterful tackle on Priestland and the unlikely figure of Regan King dropping a pass.

Dragons remain eighth in the standings, but closed the gap on Magners title-holders Ospreys to two. More importantly, in the shakedown for a place in next season’s Heineken Cup, they pulled six points clear of bottom pair Connacht and Ulster.

Although the quality was average at times with referee James Jones too quick on the whistle, often penalising the attacking side, it was fairly entertaining with the exciting finish sending the Dragons faithful home on a high.

Veteran Charvis had saved the Dragons in the first minute as the Scarlets threatened to score from the kick-off, intercepting Scarlets centre Jon Davies’ inside pass to clear left-footed.

Ceri Sweeney had a chance to give the Dragons the lead after Nathan Thomas had failed to release in the third minute, but fired his straight, 38-metre kick wide.

Priestland put the Scarlets three points up four minutes later. Dragons were unlucky to be penalised though, Jones harshly ruling scrum-half Andy Williams had deliberately beat the ball down when he appeared to be attempting to intercept at the base of a wheeling scrum.

Jones had incurred the wrath of the Dragons when, acting as television match official, he had awarded the Blues a controversial winning try on Boxing Day.

Welsh rugby’s fastest player, Mark Jones, skinned Dragons centre Ashley Smith as the Scarlets ran out of defence before being hauled down 40 metres later.

There was ironic cheers from some of the Gwent region’s faithful when 35-times capped Sweeney managed to find touch with a penalty. It is fair to say, at best, he has only a lukewarm relationship with their hard-core fans.

Priestland was also kicking inaccurately out of hand and he also failed to hit the target with a penalty in the 28th minute.

Wales full-back Morgan Stoddart made a scything break for the Scarlets and it took a superbly-timed tackle from Morgan to nail him.

If Stoddart had been more aware, he would have seen winger Dafydd James steaming up on his inside.

Nevertheless, it didn’t prevent the Scarlets going further ahead, James Jones awarding a penalty try at a scrum in the 33rd minute. Priestland converted and it was 10-0.

Dragons got a ray of hope when Smith spun his way out of defence. Scarlets offended and home No 9 Williams took a quick tap-penalty and sped away.

Man of the match Joe Bearman was in support and a trademark long pass from Michael Owen gave the dangerous Fussell some space.

He ran straight and two rucks later, Scarlets flanker James Bater was being yellow-carded for cynically killing the ball rather than his side concede a try.

Sweeney tapped over the penalty to lift his team-mates and Dragons fans. Charges from hooker Steve Jones and lively Wales prop Rhys Thomas whipped the decibel count even higher, but they were driven off the ball at a ruck deep in the visitors’ 22 after failing to commit enough men.

Stoddart and Bater combined to send Priestland striding towards the try-line, but Charvis read it brilliantly and cleverly wrapped up the youngster.

Dragons drew level in the 52nd minute after Owen chased and harried the Scarlets into giving away a penalty near their try-line.

Charvis opted for a scrum, but Jones failed to award anything when the Scarlets front row, which had been weakened by the departure of Welsh rugby’s in-form loosehead prop Iestyn Thomas minutes earlier, stood up.

However, the Dragons managed to secure possession, and a dart and superbly-timed pass from Williams sent Sweeney bursting through a gap.

Smith was in support to finish, Sweeney converting to make it at 10-10 and win over some in the crowd.

Scarlets regained the lead in the 58th minute through the boot of Priestland, after the Dragons offended at a ruck despite going into it with the ball.

Dragons were handed a number of lifelines during added time before Mustoe buried the Scarlets’ bid to go top of the Magners table.