Mason Grady was relieved to take the derby spoils and get back on track as Cardiff Rugby clung on for a 22nd consecutive victory over the Dragons.
The Blue & Blacks were in control for much of the encounter but failed to put the Dragons to the sword and the visitors set up a tense finale.
Grady was frustrated at the full-time whistle and was a reluctant recipient of the BKT Player of the Game award, but the overriding feeling was one of relief.
He said: “It’s just relief really. I thought we had put them away, but to be fair to the Dragons, they turned it around with a good counterattack.
“I thought the boys dug in really well there towards the end compared to last week. We showed some good character.
“It’s always tough playing the Dragons, especially when they come off two wins in a row. Regardless of winning 20 or so on the bounce, we knew it would be a hard game. We had some wrongs to put right from last week and hopefully we’ve done that.”
The victory temporarily lifts Cardiff back to second in the BKT United Rugby Championship table and they travel to face the Ospreys next, on New Year’s Day in Bridgend.
But for Grady, who has put in two consecutive eye-catching performance, it is more of the same – getting himself fit and firing, and more impactful in every game.
He added: “Coming off a long injury, I think it’s important for me to get my mojo back. Get started in one position for now but if that means in the future I have to move in then I will happily do that but I’m getting back into it at the moment.”