Dragons U18s suffered a disappointing end to their WRU Academies Championship with defeat in the third-fourth playoff against Scarlets U18s.
An early try from prop Ciaran Beavis had given Dragons U18s an early lead, however two yellow cards gave Scarlets opportunities to attack, before late consolation scores for Brogan Leary and Benson Ngoshi.
The West Walians scored three tries in the first half and a further four tries in the second in a 19-37 defeat for the young Men of Gwent.
Dragons U18s were forced into a late change before kick-off with an injury to wing Theo McKerrow, resulting in a rejig to the backline.
Leary switched from outside centre to wing with Jack Cordy off the bench to 13, while George Bradbury came onto the bench.
However, the young Men of Gwent had the perfect start, a Sam Morgan break leading to a five-metre scrum, with Cordy going close before a succession of pick and go’s from the forwards resulted in Beavis plunging over with Kinsey converting.
Dragons saw other chances go begging before Kinsey was yellow carded for a trip on Scarlets nine Alfie Luger after a quick tap.
Luger turned provider soon after, the scrum-half’s box kick bouncing kindly into the arms of centre Owen.
Minutes later and Scarlets took the lead, Owain Llyr Hywel just getting over on an outside arc before wing Noah Harries hurtled down the wing and into the corner.
Both tries were unconverted meaning Dragons trailed 7-15 at half-time, however they nearly got the perfect start to the second half with Jake Leighton held up over the tryline.
Soon after and Scarlets’ Owen made a break, with Leary making a superb cover tackle but was penalised for not releasing and received a yellow card.
Scarlets scored from the driving maul after the resulting penalty before fullback Rhys Wyatt capitalised on a break from wing Rhys Jones, with Madoc Evans converting for a 20-point lead.
Centre Hywel went over for his second after a bouncing ball beat the Dragons defence while the Young Men of Gwent were still down to 14.
Dragons U18s struck back late on the counterattack as Sam Morgan swerved through the defence before offloading to Brogan Leary who strolled in to score.
Replacement backrower Ryan Lanfear scored for Scarlets U18s before a yellow card to wing Noah Harries for not rolling away gave a platform for Benson Ngoshi to crash over, converted by Liam Lawlor.
Dragons U18s team: Sam Morgan; Ryley Fussell, Jack Cordy, Tegwyn Mahoney, Brogan Leary; Kai Kinsey, Felix Preece-Jones; Ciaran Beavis, Tiaan Hall (c), Scott Crewe, Elliot Beavan, Dylan Pennell, Gethin Tudball, Jake Leighton, Troy Raymond.
Replacements: Benson Ngoshi, Jayden Llewellyn, Oscar Friend, Ollie Beynon, Ollie Belavia-Walker, Rhodri Davies, Liam Lawlor, George Bradbury.
