Captain Ryan Jones was among the scorers as Dragons Under-18s were defeated 47-19 by Ospreys at Lexton Gnoll in the opening round of the Regional Age Grade Championship on Wednesday evening.
The young Dragons rallied from going 12-0 down after less than five minutes to take the lead early in the second half.
Jones started the comeback before tries from Number Eight Evan Minto and scrum half Carter Pritchard saw Dragons edge ahead.
But it was Ospreys who finished the stronger to run out opening night winners.
The Under-18s will be looking to return to winning ways in the Regional Age Grade on Sunday (January 14) when RGC visit Ystrad Mynach. Kick-off is at 3pm.
Dragons Under-18s: Joe Salter, Rhys Cole, Logan Yendle, Aneurin Patterson, Harry Harkins, Aneurin Evans, Carter Pritchard; George Tuckley, Regan Jones, Max Woodward, Buster Bodkin, Sam Walters, Dylan Roberts, Ryan Jones (c), Evan Minto
Replacements: Ben Palmer, Lewis Jones, Harley Ryan, Luke Daniel, Jack Gadd, Calon Davies, Will Ford, Ethan Paterson