Newport Gwent Dragons secured a second Amlin Challenge Cup victory when they beat Pool 4 opponents Perpignan at Rodney Parade on Thursday.

Both sides won their opening encounters in Europe last weekend but it was the Welsh side who move five points clear at the top of table thanks to an impressive victory.

The first forty minutes were dominated by the hosts with Perpignan struggling to find a foot hold in the game.

It was relentless pressure from the Dragons in the opening 12 minutes and that pressure finally told when fly-half Jason Tovey's miss pass found back-row Lewis Evans, who sprinted in for the game's opening score.

Tovey then added the conversion and a penalty ten minutes later to stretch his side's lead. It was one-way traffic for large periods of the half and it was the Welsh side who were next to score as well, this time Adam Jones touching down and again Tovey adding the conversion.

On a rare visit to the Dragons twenty-two Welshman James Hook grabbed three points back for his side just before the break with a penalty of his own.

Hook then struck first after the interval kicking his second penalty after 48minutes.

Perpignan's pack tried their utmost to drive their team back into the game, but even for their dominance upfront they couldn't break down the Dragons spirit.

Even with less ball than in the first period, the hosts still managed to keep the points rolling over, with Tovey kicking two quick drop-goals in succession to stretch his side's advantage.

Adrien Plante crossed for a late consolation for the visitors

Final Score Newport Gwent Dragons (17) 23 Perpignan (3) 13

Scorers

Newport Gwent Dragons
Tries: Evans, Jones
Cons: Tovey 2
Pens: Tovey
Drop-goal: Tovey 2
Yellow Card - G Thomas (71)

Perpignan
Tries: Plante
Cons: Hook
Pens: Hook 2
Yellow Card - F Cazenave (64)

Attendance: 5,160

Man of the Match: Lewis Evans (Dragons)

Referee: Neil Paterson (Scotland)

Teams

Newport Gwent Dragons: M Thomas; T Chavhanga, A Hughes, A Smith [capt], A Brew; J Tovey, W Evans; N Williams, L Burns, D Way, A Jones, R Sidoli, L Evans, G Thomas, T Faletau

Replacements: R Buckley, P Price, N Buck, S Morgan, A Coombs, J Bedford, L Robling, S Jones

Perpignan: J Porical; A Plante, M Mermoz, G Hume, J Candelon; J Hook, F Cazenave; P Freshwater [capt], C Geli, B Bourrust, O Olibeau, R Tchale Watchou, G Le Corvec, J Perez, O Tonita

Replacements: G Guirado, J Schuster, N Mas, G Britz, B Guiry, R Coetzee, D Mele, N Laharrague

With thanks to ERCRugby.