Dragons U16s claim convincing win
The Dragons under 16s maintained their push towards the WRU Age Grade Championship play-offs with a bonus point victory over Blues South at Rumney, winning 24-0.
Having beaten the capital region 20-16 at Cross Keys in August, the young Dragons completed the double over their neighbours thanks to tries from Ashton Hewitt (2), Hallam Amos and Jack Dixon. Outside half Lloyd Rogers kicked two conversions to seal a consummate success for the visitors.
Dragons flanker Rhys Pugsley and Blues’ lock Michael Snook were both yellow carded, but it made little difference to a game dominated by the Dragons forwards. Behind the scrum, the Gwent region showed glimpses of their excellence with Amos adding to his try haul with two outstanding scores. The powerful centre now has four for the season with Hewitt taking his tally to three in five games.
Victory keeps the Dragons in third, eight points clear of the Scarlets and a further five points ahead of Blues South for whom qualification now, looks highly unlikely.
The Ospreys under 16s moved back into top spot with a bonus point victory over the Scarlets at Llandarcy.
Victory for the Blues North in North Wales on Sunday meant the Ospreys needed to win with a bonus point to regain pole position. And they achieved that courtesy of a try hat-trick from wing Dafydd Howells.
Howells and scrum half Daniel Brooks both crossed twice in a first half that saw Josh White add three conversions as the hosts led 26-13 at the interval. Howells completed his hat-trick on the hour before two tries from Steffan Evans and as many conversions from Jack Maynard made sure of a losing bonus point for the Scarlets. Maynard converted a penalty try in the first half and added a penalty while Jamie Evans slotted a long range penalty as the Scarlets went down 33-27.
Locked together at 5-5 at half time, the Scarlets and Ospreys’ under 18s drew 15-15 with the hosts recovering from a 15-8 deficit to snatch a share of the spoils. Hooker Evan Yardley helped himself to a try, as did Ben Roberts, while Sam Davies added a conversion and penalty for the Ospreys. Steffan Hughes crossed twice for the Scarlets with leading scorer Jordan Williams kicking a conversion and penalty.
