Over 800 players and thousands of fans enjoyed Dragons Cup Finals week – dubbed the Roar to Rodney – as Gwent rugby was showcased in its finest at Rodney Parade.
An incredible week of rugby at the home of Dragons RFC saw:
- 32 sides of various age groups take to field over five days (between May 14 and 19), with 19 teams from across our region represented.
- Over 6,400 supporters attended the games - with over 4,500 attending on the Dragons Cup Finals weekend.
- Over 190 girls take part in a special Girls Festival.
A busy week of action kicked off with the Girls Festival on Monday before Athletic Finals Night on Tuesday saw NHSOB take the Athletic Plate trophy and Bedwas RFC the Athletic Cup home.
Aspiring young rugby players from across the region have been battling it out for glory over months of fierce competition and it reached an exciting climax over four action-packed days.
The Youth Bowl Final took centre stage on Thursday with Whitehead RFC claiming the trophy. The Youth Shield Final on Friday was won by Risca RFC while the Youth Plate Final was claimed by Ebbw Vale RFC.
Then over a busy weekend we saw multiple winners:
Dragons Cup Finals – Saturday, May 18
- Under-15s Plate Final – Winners Penallta RFC
- Under-15s Cup Final – Winners Pontypool RFC
- Under-16s Plate Final – Winners Beaufort RFC
- Under-16s Cup Final – Winners Senghenydd
- Youth Cup Final – Winners Pontypool United & Caerphilly RFC
Dragons Cup Finals – Sunday, May 19
- Under-12s Plate Final – Winners Nantyglo RFC
- Under-12s Cup Final – Winners Penallta RFC
- Under-13 Plate Final – Winners Pill Harriers RFC
- Under-13 Cup Final – Winners Blackwood RFC
- Under-14s Plate Final – Winners Whitehead RFC
- Under-14s Cup Final – Winners Newbridge Vikings
Jon Raymond, Stadium Manager at Dragons RFC, said: “The Dragons Cup Finals Week is fast becoming one of the highlights of the calendar for us all here at Rodney Parade.
“It was fantastic to see so many youngsters play in finals across the week, alongside all the inclusive provisions we run through the Dragons Community section.
“Our thanks go to the WRU for their support in delivering such an inspiring event. We all look forward to hosting Dragons Cup Finals week again in 2025.”
Mike Sage, Community Manager at Dragons RFC, said: “It was fantastic to host the girls festival here at Rodney Parade, alongside a charity match and our inclusion festival.
“The inclusion evening saw Dragons Phoenix – our homeless rugby side - in action as well as the mixed ability Dragons Allstars team and the Allstars Women, who played a first contact game of its kind in Wales.
“It was truly an inspiring week at Rodney Parade, a fantastic occasion and also a great celebration of inclusive rugby at the home of the Dragons.”
