United Rugby Championship: Scarlets 33-17 Dragons

Despite having Sione Kalamafoni sent off in the first half, the Scarlets overcame the Dragons.

The Scarlets' tries were scored by Steffan Evans, Dane Blacker, and Johnny McNicholl.

The Dragons were unable to take advantage of Kalamafoni's dismissal.

In the second half, the Scarlets were the better team.

It was disappointing for Dai Flanagan, who left the west Wales region's coaching staff to take charge of the Dragons.

His side were left ruing their failure to push on after scoring their second try, and establishing a four-point lead, after Kalamafoni was sent off.

The gap between Dragons and the rest of the table is only four points and they have won in the URC for the first time in six months.

It was a disappointing Boxing Day for both sides, with the Dragons beaten by a last-minute try and the Scarlets losing at the Ospreys.

It was the Scarlets who made an early impression as they returned to home turf, with Kalamafoni denying what looked like the opening score because of a knock-on in a ruck.

Scott Williams picked up an injury after making a promising break and the Dragons were able to get on the board through a Hanrahan penalty.

The Dragons scored their first try of the night when Rio Dyer juggled a pass and then sliced through a gap in the home defence to send former Scarlet O'Brien over in the corner.

Hanrahan added the extras from the touchline to make it 10-6), but the Scarlets quickly reclaimed the lead when some sweet handling by forwards and backs ended with Halfpenny supplying the score for Evans.

After Halfpenny's successful conversion, tempers flared when Sam Lousi tangled with another person.

The Wales back row had pulled his scrum cap when Kalamafoni threw punches at them.

The fourth Scarlets player - and the second in as many games - to be sent off this season, was seen by the referee for his actions.

The scrum-half was able to run over the line after the Dragons kicked the ensuing penalty into the corner.

Halfpenny's third successful penalty made it 17-13, but Hanrahan's conversion made it 17-16 at the break.

The Dragons were reduced to 15 men when Moriarty was shown a red card two minutes into the second period, but the Scarlets regained the lead thanks to a Halfpenny penalty.

The team played with courage and composure as they claimed their second try, despite their numerical disadvantage.

Blacker scored his 50th try for the region when he spotted a gap in the Dragons' defence and scampered under the posts.

The Halfpenny was able to convert once more.

The Dragons offered little attacking threat as the game went on and Hanrahan missed the chance to reduce the arrears with a poorly hit penalty.

After a Dan Davis turnover, McNicholl dived over in the corner to seal the victory.

Scarlets:Leigh Halfpenny; Johnny McNicholl, Joe Roberts, Scott Williams, Steff Evans; Rhys Patchell, Dane Blacker, Sam Lousi, and Ken Owens.

Replacements: Dan Jones, Steff Thomas, Morgan Jones, Carwyn Tuipulotu.

Sio Tomkinson, Chris Coleman, Joe Davies, George Nott, and Taine Basham are included in the Dragons' squad.

Ben Fry, Che Hope, Sam Davies, and Max Clark are replacements.

The referee is Ben Whitehouse.

The assistant referees are Craig Evans and Mike English.

The person is Sean Brickell.