The Dragons picked up their first home win in over a year as they opened their account for the season with a victory over 14-man Ospreys
Tries from Wales duo Bradley Roberts and Rio Dyer helped the Dragons to their first win of the season as they ended a lengthy run at Rodney Parade without a victory.
It was an evening to forget for the Ospreys, with both their wingers receiving cards for dangerous tackles. Try-scorer Mat Protheroe was sent off for a high tackle on Will Reed in the first-half, before Luke Morgan received a yellow card for a tip tackle on Dyer.
The Dragons hadn't won at home in the league in 385 days, when they defeated Zebre in Newport. The last Welsh side who tasted defeat at Rodney Parade were the Ospreys, who were beaten the week before that victory over the Italian outfit.
For some reason, the Swansea outfit just don't seem to like coming to Newport - with the Dragons more than good value for their victory following the red card.
The Ospreys had opened the scoring after just six minutes, with winger Protheroe latching onto Reuben Morgan-Williams' chip after the scrum-half had broken into some space in the back-field.
Despite losing Wales lock Ben Carter to an early injury, Dai Flanagan's side clawed their way back into it - with Cai Evans' penalty getting them on the scoreboard after 25 minutes.
Minutes later would come the big turning point. Chasing a kick, try-scorer Protheroe found himself clattering into Reed as the fly-half claimed the high ball. The pair's heads collided, with Protheroe being sent off once back on his feet.
Reed arguably should have departed for a HIA, while head of performance Dan Baugh was banished from the field of play after putting his hand on referee Ben Whitehouse, with the official saying 'don't touch me' to the former Canada international.
Moments later, the Ospreys were forced into an injury change of their own, with Justin Tipuric being replaced by Jac Morgan - the Wales captain making his first Ospreys appearance since January.
With a numerical advantage, the Dragons immediately went about turning the scoreboard deficit around. Minutes later, the boot of full-back Evans had the home side ahead.
And then, just two minutes before the break, hooker Roberts stepped his way to the line for a fine solo score from a lineout. In front of Warren Gatland in the stands, the 60 minutes put in by Roberts would have been the pick of the performances on show for the Wales coach in Newport.
The Dragons started the second-half on top, with Evans missing a chance to extend their lead from the tee. The third quarter would largely be dominated by the Dragons in terms of possession and territory, but with no change to the scoreline.
However, on the hour mark, the Ospreys were reduced further - with Morgan being sent to the sin-bin for a dangerous tip tackle on Dyer.
The Wales wing wouldn't be put off, though - nearly setting up a superb score after scything through the Ospreys defence from deep. However, Aneurin Owen's pass couldn't quite find Ewan Rosser.
Dyer had been on something of a try drought - having not crossed for club or country in the last 11 matches. However, regardless of tries, he's always been a threat and he got his reward when Evans put him over for a score 14 minutes from time.
In front of Gatland, who has always spoken highly of the wing, Dyer was someone who did his chances of a Wales starting spot no harm in a winning cause.
Dragons: Cai Evans; Rio Dyer, Sio Tomkinson, Aneurin Owen, Ewan Rosser; Will Reed, Rhodri Williams (capt); Rhodri Jones, Bradley Roberts, Lloyd Fairbrother, Matthew Screech, Ben Carter, Sean Lonsdale, Ollie Griffiths, Aaron Wainwright.
Replacements: Elliot Dee, Aki Seiuli, Chris Coleman, George Nott, Ryan Woodman, Dane Blacker, Steff Hughes, Ashton Hewitt.
Ospreys: Max Nagy; Luke Morgan, George North, Owen Watkin, Mat Protheroe; Jack Walsh, Reuben Morgan-Williams; Nicky Smith, Dewi Lake, Tom Botha, Rhys Davies, Adam Beard, James Ratti, Justin Tipuric (capt), Morgan Morris.
Replacements: Sam Parry, Rhys Henry, Ben Warren, James Fender, Jac Morgan, Luke Davies, Daniel Kasende, Luke Scully.
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
See how the action unfolded below:
Key Events
Full-time: Dragons 20-5 Ospreys
It's all over.
A superb win by the Dragons - their first in over a year at home.
Time for a consolation?
Ospreys pushing for something here to end the game.
Too late to change the result, but they might get something.
Nearly a third
So nearly a third for the Dragons as Aaron Wainwright almost latches onto Will Reed's kick.
That would have been some score.
Dragons firmly on top
The Dragons are full of confidence right now.
The Ospreys are on the ropes and Dai Flanagan's men are searching for the knockout blow.
Try Dragons! 20-5
Well, this time it's Rio Dyer on the end of it and he's not making any mistake.
The wing hasn't scored in 11 matches for club and country, but that was always going to come to an end at some point. Cai Evans gives the pass and the Wales wing has too much speed for the chasing Ospreys defence.
Evans converts.
So close
So nearly a brilliant try!
Rio Dyer scythes through the Ospreys defence, before getting a perfect offload to Aneurin Owen.
The centre knows he hasn't got the legs, so tries to find Rosser with a long pass.
But it's in front of the wing. So close.
Yellow card
Loose kick from Max Nagy and Rio Dyer is handed the chance to run it back.
However, he's stopped by Luke Morgan - with the Ospreys winger taking him beyond the horizontal as he tackles him.
Instant penalty, but Ben Whitehouse doesn't see the need for anything more.
Eventually, he takes a look at the replays and pulls a yellow card out of his pocket.
Plenty of changes
Dragons putting the Ospreys under pressure, but no change to the scoreboard yet.
Some changes for the Ospreys, with a new front-row of Sam Parry, Rhys Henry and Adam Warren, as well as scrum-half Luke Davies, all coming on.
Superb break
Rhodri Williams has looked a threat with ball in hand all night and his latest effort sees him break from deep.
He kicks ahead, with Rio Dyer forcing Max Nagy out of play.
Attacking lineout for the Dragons.
Missed penalty
Dragons starting the second-half on top.
They nearly break down the Ospreys' defence with some patient attack, but have to settle for a penalty for a deliberate knock-on.
Cai Evans' kick is wide, though.
Half-time: Dragons 13-5 Ospreys
A chance for the Dragons to attack, but they lose it forward.
That's it for the first-half. A first win at home in over a year is there for the taking for the Dragons.
Try Dragons! 13-5
Now Rodney Parade is really bouncing.
From a lineout, Bradley Roberts breaks through and steps the last man for a superbly-taken score.
Some finish from the hooker!
Cai Evans converts.
It's heating up
Few errors creeping in for the Ospreys and the fans are letting them know.
This one is starting to get a little lively now.
Penalty Dragons! 6-5
Quite a lot happening now.
Jac Morgan is on for Justin Tipuric after that red card, Dan Baugh was warned by Ben Whitehouse for putting his arm on the official and Cai Evans has kicked the Ospreys ahead.
A manic few minutes.
Red card
This isn't good.
Mat Protheroe chases a kick that is taken by Will Reed, with the pair colliding heads as the former makes the tackle.
Both are down on the ground instantly, with neither looking in a great way, and the crowd know a card is likely.
Unsurprisingly, that's a red card.
Penalty Dragons! 3-5
Huge scrum from the Dragons gets them the penalty inside the Ospreys half.
You'd imagine Cai Evans will fancy a shot at goal.
He does and he nails it. The Dragons are on the board.
Break by Lake
Dewi Lake with a smart give-and-go lineout to the front and suddenly the Wales hooker is racing down the touchline.
In fairness, the Dragons do well to stop him and get him into touch because he's not the man you want to try tackle when he's had a run-up.
Missed chance
From the scrum, Wainwright picks up from the base and carries around to the blindside.
Just as Ollie Griffiths prepares for the next phase with the line in sight, Ben Whitehouse pings Wainwight for an extra roll.
Decent chance
Dragons pinged in the Ospreys' 22, allowing Toby Booth's side to relief some pressure on themselves.
However, the home side do a good job of stealing Dewi Lake's lineout and immediately look to strike.
Cai Evans tries another kick through, with Aneurin Owen almost latching onto it to score.
In the end, the Dragons get the five-metre scrum as Luke Morgan is caught behind his own line.
Kick ahead
From the penalty, the Dragons work some space on the Ospreys' edge, but Jack Walsh does well to cover Cai Evans' kick ahead.
Rio Dyer was racing onto that one.
Early injury
Ospreys look menacing off quick ball from a lineout, but get isolated after a couple of phases.
That results in a Dragons penalty and an injury for Ben Carter after a clearout from Tom Botha. Was just after the whistle had gone as well.
That's the end of the Wales second-row's night. A real shame as he limps off. George Nott on in his place.
Wasteful kick
Dragons with their first spell of possession in the opposition half.
Some nice moments as they nearly reach the edge, but Cai Evans stabs a rather aimless kick through and is pinned back by Max Nagy's boot.
Evans gets back to clear, but the result is an Ospreys lineout in the Dragons half.
Try Ospreys! 0-5
Almost out of nowhere, the Ospreys take the lead.
Morgan-Williams breaks away from the base of a ruck and, with numbers outside him and an easy pass on, chips over the top.
Thankfully for him, Mat Protheroe is quick onto it and scores out wide.
Walsh misses the extras.
Early chance
Early chance for the Ospreys as the Dragons don't clear their lines from the kick-off.
However, after a fair few slow phases, the Dragons get over the ball to win a breakdown penalty.
Half-hour until kick-off
We're about 30 minutes from kick-off here in Newport.
Some interesting battles between these two sides, with international team-mates going head-to-head.
Late change
Late change for the Ospreys.
There'll be no return from World Cup duty for Gareth Thomas. He's pulled out, with Rhys Henry taking his place on the bench.
Welcome
Good afternoon!
The Dragons are still searching for their first win of the season - will it come today?
As the Ospreys, they're not too far away from the top eight - although, as Toby Booth said earlier this week, it's a little too soon to be worrying about the table just yet.
With more World Cup stars back, it all makes for a fascinating Welsh derby in Newport.
