Dragons Academy Coach Matt O’Brien has praised his side for their performance in a thrilling 47-34 victory over the Cardiff Blues Under-18s at Cae Wern in Merthyr on Monday evening.
The game was an absolute thriller with 12 tries and 81 points in total - with both sets of youngsters showcasing their talent during their final game of the recent block of fixtures.
The Men of Gwent scored seven of those tries and the victory ensured they gained revenge after suffering defeat to the same opponents at Ystrad Mynach a week earlier.
Backs Coach O’Brien admits his players were excellent on the night and praised the intensity and physicality of both teams in an entertaining contest.
“I thought the boys were excellent, from last week they were much better and started really well which was pleasing and that sort of carried through throughout the game,” said O’Brien.
“The game itself was really good from both sides, it was sort of international level of intensity and physicality at times so really pleasing.
“It was a bit like the game on the weekend between Harlequins and Exeter final, but it was really good both teams scored some great tries and that’s what you want to see.”
The victory sees the Dragons Under-18s finish with three wins from four games - after defeating the Scarlets twice in consecutive comeback victories.
But O’Brien insists despite the results it’s just great to see the boys back on the field playing rugby again and getting better after such a long time out.
He said: “Not so much the results really, but the performances have been getting better as we have gone through the block, but the main thing is seeing the boys get better.
“It has been great to just see them play again in all honesty and we will take that momentum into next season, but the boys have been excellent.
“Bit of time off for the boys first, they haven’t been used to going too many games back to back so give them a few weeks off now.
“Who knows what next season’s planner will look like for the Under-18s but just have a nice break, have a review and talk about the next steps for the players and just get ready and look forward to next season.”
The game itself was really good from both sides, it was sort of international level of intensity and physicality at times so really pleasing...
