Newport Gwent Dragons Girls Under 18s played their first match under the new regional set up on Sunday 30th November on their Ospreys counterparts at a cold but picturesque Bailey Park in Abergavenny.
Previously the regional game in girls rugby was with East, West and North Wales. West Wales had dominated this competition in years gone by until last year when East Wales won both age groups.
This year has seen the introduction in the girls game to coincide with the senior men and boys introducing the Dragons, Blues, Opreys, Scarlets and The North.
The Dragons U18’s squad comprises of 3 teams, Caephilly, Newport and RTB Ebbw Vale. Despite several players out with injuries, the Dragons girls started the game positively, but fell behind to a well constrcuted try by the visitors. The Ospreys then went further ahead with another try before the Dragons struck back with a well worked try of their own by centre Aimee Williams. The visitors scored their 3rd try, making the half time score Dragons 5 Ospreys 17.
The 2nd half saw the home team exerting pressure which was eventually rewarded with a try from centre Katie Bevan. The Ospreys defence stood firm preventing the Dragons crossing for any more tries, and the visitorss cored the last and decisive try of the match minutes before time to make the final score Dragons 10 Ospreys 22.
The coaches and manager were proud of the girls performance. Forward of the match was prop Cory Tourle and back of the match was centre Aimee Williams
The Dragons next match will be 7th December, away to the Scarlets
Meanwhile, Dragons girls under 15s played their first regional game against the Ospreys at Bailey Park, Abergavenny, with both regions fielding a blend of experienced players and talented newcomers.
Both sides tested each other with strong running and even stronger defences. The Ospreys used the advantage of the slope well keeping the ball inside the Dragons half at every opportunity. The Dragons showed an excellent organised defence with the forwards stealing a few turnovers enabling the backs to relieve the pressure. The task proved too strong for the Dragons defence to hold out indefinitely and was breached three times in the first half for the Ospreys to take the lead by 19 - 0 at the break.
However, the second half saw the Dragons take the game to the Ospreys with an eagerness to keep the ball in hand with all players showing good skills and taking the ball through the phases forcing errors before getting the ball wide. Numerous penalties were gained and with growing confidence in the Dragons camp the ball was kept in hand to test the Opsreys defence. The Dragons can be confident in their fine performance in the second half as they go to face the Scarlet's in the next round.
