The Dragons' nightmare season came to an end with a 55-15 defeat to the Bulls in Pretoria that saw the club equal the record for the worst United Rugby Championship league campaign. The Men of Gwent went into the final game of the season having not won a league fixture since the opening day against the Ospreys . And, with the title-chasing Bulls heavy favourites with the bookies and the Dragons without 22 players, there was rarely any danger of the lengthy wait for a victory being ended. On an emotional day in Pretoria, with tributes paid both before the game and during the match to former Springboks winger Cornal Hendricks after his death this week at the age of 37, the league's second-placed side comfortably dispatched the basement club. With that, the Dragons finished the season on nine points - level with the previous lowest total set by Zebre in 2022. Already cast adrift from the rest of the league, Filo Tiatia's side ended up 20 points behind 15th place - begging questions of just how much they will improve next term, regardless of the number of signings already made. After a tribute to former Bulls wing Hendricks before kick-off, the home side started in ominous fashion. After Cameron Hanekom went close, Jake White's side crossed twice in the opening seven minutes through David Kriel and Cobus Wiese. Sebastian de Klerk went over just before the end of the first quarter, before Akker van der Merwe secured the bonus point ahead of half-time. The Dragons rallied after half-time, with Huw Anderson going over out wide two minutes after the restart. Wales scrum-half Rhodri Williams closed the gap further with a fine individual try. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free Hooker van der Merwe crossed for his second, before the Bulls really took charge through a quickfire brace from Sergeal Petersen Replacements Marcell Coetzee and Devon Williams got in on the act, bringing the Bull's total to nine tries. However, it would be the Dragons that would have the final say. Former Wales U20s hooker Lewis Morgan, called up this week from Carmarthen Quins following the Dragons' injury crisis, got over for a score from a maul. Tiatia's side looked like they were about to get something from the match late on. Departing winger Ashton Hewitt - who leaves Rodney Parade as their second-highest try-scorer - appeared to have added to his collection in his final outing in the dying minutes. However, the try - that would have been his 38th for the club - was chalked out for a forward pass. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.