The Dragons pushed the table topping Blues North all the way in last night's U16 game in the WRU Reebok Regional Championship at Pandy Park.
However, their bid to end this season's search for a victory was not enough as the league leaders held on to win 21-13.
Tries from Ian Smerdon and a penalty try helped the North into a 14-10 interval advantage and when Richard Powell added a third in the second half, the Blues were home if not exactly dry.
Smerdon completed his side's tally with three conversions whilst for the Dragons there was a try from impressive centre Rhys Howells and eight points from the boot of full back Joseph Evans.
Dragons' high performance manager Ron Shottle said, "Of course it is disappointing to have lost again, but we played well and might have nicked in the second half.
"We showed great resolve and a significant improvement from recent games. That is what we are looking for.
"Our senior coach Paul Turner was here to watch and I know that he was impressed by Rhys Howells' performance. To be honest, he was outstanding."
The game was marred when openside flanker Greg Baker was taken to hospital with a suspected broke leg.
