The first-ever Dragons Allstars mixed ability inclusion game - with both our ladies and men combined – saw the team make the cross-border journey for a clash with Worcester Warriors.
As part of a curtain-raiser before Worcester entertained Dragons in the European Challenge Cup, the game started under bright sunshine with both sets of players enjoying some time with ball in hand.
The game was well marshalled by visiting scrum half Cerian Thomas who was very vocal in asking her forwards to carry, none more so than Karen Hoare and Sophie Watkins-Tidley who constantly broke the hard pressing defensive line.
The pressure finally told with a line break and step by fly half Gareth Sullivan who crossed under the posts, with the conversion slotted home Thomas.
Worcester soon got a foothold in the game and repeatedly tested the Dragons Allstars defensive line and, after some concerted pressure, a big carry from the home prop forward enabled him to crash over for a try.
This put the fire back in the bellies of the Dragons Allstars and they continued to dominant the possession and territory with John Davies crossing the whitewash for a converted try.
The Dragons Allstars unfortunately lost Zoe Hickman to a broken wrist shortly after, however, this only inspired the team to step it up even more in the second half.
A dominant Number Eight performance by Heather Nicholls put the Dragons Allstars on the front foot in the early exchanges and paved the way for husband Rob Nicholls to slip a pass to Gareth Sullivan who dived and scored in the corner.
Momentum continued with the Dragons Allstars and sustained pressure told with a break by Karen Burgess and some quick ball allowing Connor Harvey to score his first ever try in senior rugby.
A consolation try for Worcester followed for a final score of 26-17 to Dragons Allstars in what was a great advert for inclusion rugby - both men, ladies and coaches should be proud of the skills and smiles on show.
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