Montgomery boosts title-chasing Dragons

The Newport Gwent Dragons defeated Connacht 32-14 in Galway yesterday to stay in contention for the Celtic League title. The Dragons are a point behind Llanelli, who won 36-26 at home to Glasgow, with two games of the season to go. Ulster remain in pole position, on points difference from the Scarlets.

The Dragons' tries came from their former Springbok, centre Percy Montgomery, the wings Nathan Brew and Hal Luscombe and the fly-half Craig Warlow. Montgomery added 12 points with his boot. Connacht wing Matt Mostyn scored two tries which were both converted by Eric Elwood.

Two tries from the scrum-half Dwayne Peel put the Scarlets on the way to victory at Wrexham, their second home. The flanker Dave Hodges and the lock Chris Wyatt also scored tries, with Stephen Jones kicking 13 points and Gareth Bowen chipping in with a lone penalty. Glasgow scored four tries, through David Millard, Andrew Henderson, Sean Lamont and Sam Pinder, with Dan Parks converting three times.

On the far side of the world, the ACT Brumbies, champions in 2001, had something to crow about as they rustled up a 46-25 win against the Wellington Hurricanes in Canberra to qualify for a fifth consecutive Super 12 semi-final.

The Canterbury Crusaders won 24-9 at home to South Africa's Stormers to join the Brumbies in the last four with a week to spare. In Sydney the Otago Highlanders beat the New South Wales Waratahs 29-28, while the Queensland Reds defeated the Cats 47-23 in Bloemfontein.