Match Report (Photos by John Burns)
U15’s Regional League: Cardiff Blues Vs Newport Gwent Dragons
14/11/10
Dragons:
1. Charmaine Crook 9. Sophie Johnson (c)
2. Megan Jones 10. Megan Daley
3. Steph Feeney 11. Josie Price
4. Micheala Bowen 12. Morgan Thomas
5. Charlotte Lewis 13. Steph Holman
14. Ellie Bishop
15. Heather Burns
A crisp, cold day greeted the Dragons at Gwernyfed RFC for their away fixture to the Cardiff Blues. In the corresponding fixture last season the Blues were comfortable winners, 61-10 at Caerphilly RFC so the Dragons were keen to set the record straight. Illness had raised its head in the Dragons camp, laying waste to 3 players, and with injury putting paid to regular scrumhalf Annie Bevan, Sophie Johnson was moved from her usual position at outside centre to cover. Megan Jones moved from 8 to hooker as the Dragons could only field 12 players due to the illness and injuries in the camp. The Blues very kindly loaned the Dragons a player so the game could be a 13 a side contest.
From the kick off no quarter was given by either side with fast attacking rugby being met by stonewall defence. I didn’t take long for the deadlock to be broken. From a well won ruck on the half way line, Johnson was able to release Daley who ran through 2 half tackles before side stepping her way past the Blues full back to touch down for a fine individual try, the conversion fell short.
The game continued at a frenetic pace with the Blues driving deep into the Dragons half, only to be met with sterling defence, every time the Blues looked like scoring the Dragons were able to get cover to the vital area and in many cases force a turnover or error from the Blues. The Dragons pack was a dominant force, taking several scrums against the head and forcing the Blues into a personnel change in their front row. In the tight, good counter rucking from Feeney and Crook and good foraging work from Jones was causing the Blues problems and was not allowing the Blues to give their impressive outside half clean ball. From the turnovers the Dragons decided to keep the ball in hand and strong running from Bowen and Lewis provided good platforms for Johnson to release the impressive Dragons backline. Hard running from centres Thomas and Holman were met with committed defence by the Blues. As the half progressed the Blues became camped in the Dragons 22. Wave after wave of attacks were thwarted with wings Bishop and Price and full back Burns unrelenting in their defence, not letting a single tackle get past them. The half drew to a close with the Blues pressing the Dragons try line, probing the defensive line for weakness. The Dragons line held firm and forced the knock on which allowed Daley to put the ball dead to end the half.
Half Time Score
Blues: 0
Dragons: 5
The Dragons held the lead until 10 minutes into the second half and prior to conceding the try created several chances of their own but the final pass was missing. The Dragons defence was finally breached by the Blues outside half, who had looked by far their most dangerous player throughout the match. Quick ruck ball allowed the Blues to take advantage of holes in the Dragons defence and the Blues outside half was able to sidestep her way past the last ditch tackles to score under the posts, the try was converted.
The Dragons then lost Daley to a shoulder injury and whilst the Dragons were shorthanded the Blues took advantage of the extra player, sending the ball along their backline for the winger to score in the corner, the conversion fell short. The Blues reduced their numbers to 12, as required by WRU Womens pathway rules but the effort put in by the Dragons in the first half defensive display was starting to take its toll. Mid way through the half the Dragons lost inspirational skipper and scrum half Johnson to injury after she put in a tackle on one of the Blues big runners. Daley returned to the fray after receiving treatment to her shoulder. The Blues with the confidence of being in front now began to press home and ran in 2 further tries in the final 10 minutes.
Final Score
Blues: 26
Dragons: 5
(Try: Daley)
This was the best performance by the Dragons since the coaching team had taken over at the start of the 2009-10 season. The commitment and desire in defence was a joy to watch and the result does not fully reflect the game. Each and every Dragons player should feel proud of the effort they put in against a very strong and well organised Blues team.
