Dragons U18s and Bristol Bears U18s battled to a victory each in their return to action at Ystrad Mynach on Friday afternoon.
The future Dragons were split into two sides, Red and Black, as two entertaining friendly fixtures took place at the Centre of Excellence.
It was an opportunity for the young stars to gain more experience and continue their development through the Dragons pathway system.
There was plenty of young talent on show from both sides, with the crowd witnessing eighteen tries across the two fixtures.
First up were the Red team and they sealed a comprehensive 41-10 victory over their English counterparts scoring seven tries in the process.
Winger Will Rees scored a hat trick, while the other winger Reuben McCarthy ensured he didn’t miss out on the action as he scored a brace alongside outside centre Aiden Boschoff’s two scores.
An impressive display from the back three was matched by Jack Woods with the fly half kicking six points off the tee.
Bristol managed two tries of their own in response, but it wasn’t enough for the young Englishmen.
The Black team followed and were hoping to match their team-mates and join them in victory.
But it wasn’t to be for the young Dragons as they fell just short to a 26-28 defeat, despite a late comeback and taking the contest down to the final whistle.
Both sides scored four tries each but the extra successful conversion from Bristol was enough for the Bears to travel back over the bridge with honours even across both contests.
Scrum half Zak Roberts scored a brilliant solo try in vain, alongside scores from second row Owain Osmond, replacement scrum half Toby Thomas and centre Tye Davies.
Fly half Sam Berry converted Roberts score while his replacement Sonny Greenman kicked two more as the future Dragons fell just short at the death.
DRAGONS RED: Evan Davies, Will Rees, Aidan Boschoff, Oscar Watkins, Reuben McCarthy, Jack Woods, Harri Ford; Jake Wieneski (c), Zac Waters, Cameron Cox, Evan Barber, Ethan Evans, Tomoya Adachi, Charlie Birch, Evan Minto.
Replacements: Vinnie Burden, Ewan Burrows, Josh Gay, Matthew Hall, Evan Appleby, Riah Jones, Rhys Smith, Aneurin Williams, Reegan Davies
Dragons Black: Kallum Rosser, Walker Price Cam Davies, Harri Ackerman, Gruff Davies, Sam Berry (c), Zak Roberts; Jordan Morris, Aneurin Jenkins, Conall Couch, Owain Osmond, Gethyn Cannon, Will Gregory, Josh Hart, Charlie Harkins.
Replacements: Matty Cotton, Morgan Williams, Barney T-Hewartson, Connor Lewis, Kobi Rees, Toby Thomas, Sonny Greenman, Tye Davies, Ioan Duggan
