Scarlets’ pre-season campaign ended with a 31-24 defeat to the Dragons at Parc y Scarlets.

Two second-half interceptions cost the Scarlets dear, while they also failed to convert territory and possession into points at crucial moments.

Taine Plumtree, Kieran Hardy, Eddie James and Tomi Lewis crossed for the Scarlets tries in what was the final run-out before the squad head to South Africa to take on the Bulls and Stormers later this month.

On his 200th appearance, Jonathan Davies led out the side to a warm ovation from the fans in the South Stand. Foxy made his debut an incredible 17 years ago and has been an outstanding servant to the club.

The Scarlets came flying out of the blocks and with just three minutes on the clock some slick handling down the short side freed Plumtree who charged down the touchline to score. Ioan Lloyd landed the conversion and the home side were up and running.

The Dragons, though, responded strongly and following a period of pressure on the home line, the visitors crossed with a corner core by wing Jared Rosser, created by a deft one-handed pass by former Scarlet Dane Blacker.

The Dragons had their second try on 27 minutes when another ex-Scarlet Steff Hughes hit a short ball to score from close range. Will Reed converted to make it 12-7.

A great break and offload from Johnny McNicholl to Hardy led to Dragons forward Ben Carter being shown yellow for a cynical penalty in front of his own posts and with Scarlets setting up camp on the visitors’ line, the Wales international scrum-half showed some quick thinking with a tap and go which got him over the whitewash. Lloyd was wide with the extras.

With Dragons also having prop Rodrigo Martinez sin-binned, the Men of Gwent found themselves down to 13 men, with a brilliant 50:22 from Lloyd putting them on the back foot again in the closing minutes of the half. However, the Scarlets lost the ball on the line and Dragons were able to escape into the changing rooms all square.

It was the visitors who struck with two swift blows at the start of the second period.

Jordan Williams intercepted and raced 70 metres to the line, then the Dragons’ driving line-out did the business for their fourth score of the night scored by prop Luke Yendle.

Trailing 26-12, Scarlets needed some inspiration and they got it thanks to a superb miss pass from Ioan Lloyd and the finish from replacement Eddie James in the corner.

However, another interception from deep inside their own half saw the Dragons claim their fifth try and Hughes his second.

Scarlets pressed for a response, Ryan Conbeer was held up over the line with eight minutes remaining, then Tomi Lewis latched onto a clever dab through from Efan Jones to claim a try that was converted brilliantly from the touchline by Charlie Titcombe.

That gave the Scarlets a chance of levelling matters in the closing exchanges, but the ball was spilled in the final attack and the Dragons were able to hold on for the win.

Scarlets - tries: T. Plumtree, K. Hardy, E. James, T. Lewis. Cons; I. Lloyd, C. Titcombe

Dragons - tries: J. Rosser, S. Hughes (2), J. Williams, J. Benjamin. Cons: W. Reed (3).