Regional Reebok Championship Update
· Regional U16s
On Monday 12th December The Dragons U16s travelled to Taffs Well RFC to play their rearranged fixture with the Blues North. This was another fine performance from this group taking the game to the Blues at every opportunity.
The half time score was 15-3 to The Dragons but the second half the Blues hit back with a score. However, the home side were unable to stop The Dragons from taking full control of the second half and the game ended 22-8 to The Dragons. Both coaches, Stuart Lawrence and Mark Williams are very pleased with the commitment and attitude from this young group of players and it is hoped in seasons to come many will go on to play for the senior Dragons side.
· Regional U18s
The Dragons U18s are still looking for their first win of the Reebok Regional Championships. They travelled to Llandovery RFC on Tuesday 20th December for a rearranged fixture to take on the Scarlets who are one of the topsides in the competition. The Dragons gave an outstanding performance much different to when they played the Scarlets at Caerphilly RFC when they lost by 35 points earlier in the season. The half time score was14-10 to the Scarlets and The Dragons performed well in the second half showing a lot of commitment but the Scarlets gained the last score of the game to clinch the win, the final score 22-17 to the Scarlets.
· Regional U20s
The U20s did not have a game in December. The Scheduled game for the U20s which was to be on Wednesday 11th January against the Blues was cancelled due to National U21s Squad Training. The U20s will play the Ospreys on Wednesday 25th January at Abertillery RFC kick off 7.15pm.
Junior Academy
The Regional Junior Academy group (ages 16-18) meet every Thursday evening at Usk to work with Fitness and Conditioning coaches Gareth Walton and Paul Bunce who monitor specific activity progression in terms of the youngsters fitness levels. The fitness programme the youngsters are following is in conjunction with Paul who is the Academy’s fitness and conditioning coach and is also a plan that meets national criteria requirements. The players are also required to complete a week schedule outlining their training as part of the monitoring process of what their activities are throughout the week. Following on from the U16s squad and Academy members fitness testing results it was reported by both Paul and Gareth that they are very pleased with the fitness test results. This group has worked very hard on their conditioning work not only at Usk on a Thursday but on their own with programmes provided by Gareth who is doing an excellent job.
National Squads
Below is a list of Dragons Age Group players who are attending National Squad Sessions,
· U16s - Adam Hughes, Stewart Maguire, Danny Ellis, Lee Bray, Arron Coudley, Hywell Walsh, Craig Fillier, James Spear.
· U18s - David Langdon, Jason Tovey, Ben Roberts, Joshua Williams, Geraint O’Driscoll, other players who may be invited are Thomas Edwards, Gareth Dare.
· U19s - Jimmy Norris, Adam Brown, Jamie Corsi, Lewis Evans, James Lewis, Rob Lewis, Ashley Smith, Rhys Jones, Gareth Maule.
On behalf of everyone at The Dragons we wish these youngsters the very best of luck as they begin their International rugby career.
