Champions! Under-18s claim RAG title
Wing Carrick McDonough grabbed a dream try double as Dragons claimed a first-ever Regional Age Grade Championship Under-18 title with a hard-fought 19-10 victory over Scarlets.
Dragons went into the game clear at the top of the Under-18 standings and unbeaten in the opening six games of the competition.
And an impressive battling performance at Ystrad Mynach against Scarlets – their nearest rivals before kick-off – saw captain Ben Carter lift the crown.
Dragons produced some solid defence in the opening exchanges, as Scarlets looked to start the game fast as the rain came down.
Lock duo Ben Carter and Joe Peard combined to break down the middle, but the home try was ruled out for a double movement on the line against Peard.
Visiting fly half Bradley Roderick missed a penalty wide left after 15 minutes before home wing Morgan Richards almost scored a superb solo effort after breaking the line and kicking ahead.
However, the opening try in the drizzle did arrive on 25 minutes when the forwards rumbled up close and loosehead prop Dylan Bartlett fired a long pass to Number Eight Moa to cross in the corner.
Scarlets hit back early in the second half when visiting captain Sam Williams crashed over.
But back came Dragons with McDonough showing blistering pace to latch onto a long clearing kick and tear over to a huge ovation.
The wing grabbed his second of the night after reacting first to a chip ahead into the 22 and not even a consolation score from Scarlets could dampen the party as Dragons claimed the crown.
Timeline:
28m Moa t 5-0
38m Williams t 5-5
50m McDonough t Reed c 12-5
58m McDonough t Reed c 19-5
65m King t 19-10
Dragons Under-18s: Jake Morgan (McDonough 44), Ewan Rosser, Lewis Bates, Ollie Lewis, Morgan Richards (Jones 59), Will Reed, Dylan Davies (Lloyd 65); Dylan Bartlett (Dowse 44), Brodie Coghlan (Chapman 65), Owen Peddle, Joe Peard (Young 49), Ben Carter, Benji Hoppe, Matthew Jefferies (Coope-Franklin 65), Ben Moa
Replacements: Connor Chapman, Aaron Dowse, Henry Hibbs, George Young, Joe Coope-Franklin, Morgan Lloyd, Cian Jones, Carrick McDonough
