Scarlets were left to rue defensive lapses as they fell to a 52-32 defeat to the Dragons in a free-scoring Rainbow Cup clash at Rodney Parade.

Twelve tries were scored in an entertaining Sunday lunchtime contest, but despite leading at half-time, the Scarlets came off second best to an inspired Dragons side who were good value for their win.

Scrum-half Dane Blacker put in a standout display, scoring one of the Scarlets’ five tries, while captain Ryan Elias led from the front.

But it was the Dragons who opened up their account in the new competition with a maximum haul.

The home side were on the scoreboard after just four minutes with the outstanding Jonah Holmes making full use of the wide channels to cross.

The response from the Scarlets was immediate, though.

From the kick-off Holmes lost the ball in contact, Steff Evans pounced and back-rower Iestyn Rees was on hand to take the spring pass on his Scarlets debut. Sam Costelow converted.

It was frantic stuff in the early exchanges with the Dragons enjoying the better of territory and possession. The home side’s reward was a score by former Scarlet Jordan Williams, converted off the upright by Sam Davies.

Costelow reduced the advantage with a penalty from straight in front, but the Dragons were soon celebrating a third try courtesy of rampaging Wales flanker Aaron Wainwright.

Needing to hit back quickly, Scarlets manufactured their way back into the contest on 31 minutes with a well-worked score for Steff Evans.

Angus O’Brien, on for Tom Rogers, sliced through, found the impressive Blacker who gave the try-scoring pass to his winger.

Blacker then got himself on the scoresheet with a lovely solo try to give the Scarlets the lead for the first time.

It could have been more when skipper Elias took a short pass, dummied and crashed over, only for the score to be chalked off for a forward pass.

That made the scoreline 22-17 at the interval, a lead that wasn’t to last long.

Dragons pivot Davies landed a penalty three minutes after the restart then flying wing Rio Dyer finished off a flowing move for the bonus-point score.

The half got worse for the visitors as centre Aneurin Owen and player of the match Holmes added further tries, leaving the West Walians with a mountain to climb in the final quarter.

Steff Evans darted over for his second and when Johnny McNicholl intercepted and raced 50 metres with 10 minutes remaining, hope was rekindled.

But that was snuffed out by the Dragons in the closing exchanges. Wainwright claimed his second from a line-out drive then Davies added two further penalties to secure the victory.