Young Dragons Experience Six Nations Success
The Dragons U15s travelled the Corresien region of France to represent Wales in a Six Nations tournament at the Regional Rugby School in Naves.
With an unbeaten record to defend this season, they faced a stern challenge from the other teams; Monkstown Rugby Academy, current Irish Schools Champions and 3 times past Winners of this tournament; Murrayfield Wanderers, an Edinburgh select team; Ormskirk, current Lancashire U15 Champions; and an invitational French Barbarian team who replaced the Italian team, and our French hosts.
The tournament was superbly run, attracting interest from the National TV and press.
The format of the tournament was very strange for the young Welshmen, as in France at U15 level they play on a smaller pitch with 12 players, no scrum drive or lineout lift and no tackling at all above the waist. The games were to last 10 minutes each half.
The first game was against the defending Champions of Ireland, and despite being overawed by the TV Cameras and singing the National Anthems prior to the game the Dragons managed a 7-7 draw despite giving away 22 penalties as they struggled to come to terms with the new rules. Wing Tom Ashmead’s skill shone through though and a wonderful try from him with gave the Dragons the draw they deserved, Steve Brown added the conversion.
The 2nd game was against our French hosts, and the Boys were far more relaxed now. A large crowd had gathered, hoping to see the French get revenge for their thumping in Cardiff the week before. The Dragons gave an outstanding display of open rugby, running in 7 unanswered tries, the pick of which would have graced any international arena. Right Wing James Casey, one of the smallest players on display, picked up the ball in his own 22, side stepped 2 players and ran the length of the field leaving all in his wake, to score a try that Shane Williams would have been proud of!
Scorers v France = Tom Aviss, Jake Smith, James Casey, Leon Parke, Josh Durran Staples, Alex Lovell - Cons Steve Brown & Liam Crandon (34-0)
To end the first day the Young Dragons continued to roar, by thrilling the crowd with some scintillating rugby. This time they put their Scottish counterparts to the sword by running in 9 unanswered tries. The pick of the game was a 40 yard run in from tight head Dan Maguire after receiving a 15 metre pass off his loose head colleague Jack Williams, great stuff from the Props.
Scorers v Scotland = Steve Brown, Josh Van Male, Jake Smith, Josh Durran Staples, Dan Maguire, Dan Obrien (2), Richard Summers - Cons Steve Brown, Dan Obrien (49-0)
On Sunday morning, the boys were awoken by their hosts to a covering of snow; luckily this had thawed enough in time for the tournament to begin again.
Next up were the French Barbarians who had recruited some bigger players overnight! This was to no avail though as the Dragons controlled possession and remained composed to run in 4 unanswered tries. It was the wingers and 2nd rows who grabbed the glory in this game, each getting a try each.
Scorers v Barbarians = Josh Durran Staples, Spencer Crawley, Josh Van Male, Cameron Regan. - Cons Steve Brown (2) (24-0)
The last game of the Tournament was against England who had previously only narrowly lost 2 games to the Irish and the Barbarians.
The Young Dragons needed no further motivation, but were determined to entertain the partisan crowd, and entertain they did, running in 7 tries to 1. The pick of which was from Hooker Jake Smith who ran another one in for the front row union from 40 meters. Outstanding 2nd row and “Players Player of the Tournament” Cameron ”Tubes” Regan grabbed a brace in the game, and Full Back and “X Factor Competition Winner” Jonny O’Neil rounded off the tries for Gwent.
Scores v England = Richard Summers, Dan Obrien, Spencer Crawley, Jake Smith, Cameron Regan (2), Jonny O’Neil. Con Tom Aviss. (37-7)
This meant that the tournament was won because of a superior try count, the Dragons outscoring their Irish counterparts by 8 tries, having scored 28 and only conceding 2.
The Coaching and Management Team would like to congratulate all the players on their success and especially on the professional manner in which the lads conducted themselves throughout the tour; they were a credit to their region and country.
The Players would like to say a huge thank you their hosts in France, they will never forget this experience, and would like to thank all of the sponsors who were so kind in supporting the trip, especially General Dynamics UK limited.
Full Tour Party = Alun Williams (UWIC) Coach: Mike Pugsley (NHSOB) Coach: Anthony Cook (Valley Rhinos) Manager: Jack Williams (NHSOB) Captain: Steve Brown (RTB Ebbw Vale) Vice Captain Forwards – Jake Smith, Rob Smith(Garndiffaith), Dan Maguire, Russ Davies (NHSOB), Cameron Regan, Tom Mathews, Chris Dickenson (RTB Ebbw Vale), Leon Parke, Carl Burgess, Richards Summers (St Josephs NPT), Josh Van Male (Valley Rhinos) Backs – Mathew Davies, Tom Haynes (Garndiffaith), Elliott Wheaton, Alex Lovell, Tom Aviss, Jonny O’Neil (NHSOB), Tom Ashmead, Liam Crandon (Valley Rhinos), Josh Pearce, Spencer Crawley (RTB Ebbw Vale), Josh Durran Staples (Caldicot), Dan Obrien, James Casey (St Josephs NPT)
