Dragons defy Dennis for bonus win
Dragons Under-18s completed their Regional Age Grade (RAG) Championship campaign with a bonus point victory over a combative RGC team at a windswept Caerphilly Centre of Sporting Excellence on Sunday afternoon.
Dragons opened the scoring after ten minutes when, after a series of concerted forward drives, hooker Connor Chapman crashed over, with Will Reed converting.
Both sides were finding it difficult playing in the wind with several kicks failing to find touch or blowing out on the full.
Dragons increased their lead in the 29th minute with a smart try from centre Oli Andrews. Will Reed was on hand again to add the extras.
RGC struck back and took full advantage of a lack of concentration by the home defence when the visiting full back crashed over.
Dragons came out for the second half with renewed purpose but a combination of stout defence and the weather were proving a handful for the Gwent youngsters.
In the 55th minute, again from a forward drive and a series of close quarter carries, prop Adam Williams popped over for the third home score. Reed again convered into a stiff wind.
There was a late rally which saw the RGC score another two tries.
However, with the clock running down and following a raft of changes, the bonus point was secured when inspirational back rower George Young ran hard at the defence and crashed over.
Reed slotted the conversion bringing proceedings for a very cold crowd to a conclusion.
Timeline:
10m Chapman t Reed c 7-0
28m Andrews t Reed c 14-0
35m Hughes t 14-5
55m Williams t Reed c 21-5
57m Hare t 21-10
67m Young t Reed c 28-10
70m Godfrey t Williams c 28-17
Dragons Under-18s: Joe Westwood (Gregg 67), Carrick McDonough, Oli Andrew, Oliver Andrews, Rocky Barnett (Paytner 50), Will Reed, Keian Richards (Lloyd 63); Jarred Williams (Hewlett 63), Conor Chapman (Lewis 67), Adam Williams (Dowse 50), Lewis Stansfield (Jay 57), Ryan Woodman, Lloyd Thomas, Sam Scarfe (Souto 67), George Young
Replacements: Liam Lewis, Aaron Dowse, Lui Hewlett, Bevan Jay, Frankie Souto, Morgan Lloyd, Evan Gregg, Johnny Paynter
