Academy record historic first win!
The Dragons Academy marked its first game with victory over a very talented Japanese side running out victorious 32 -22 in a fantastic game of rugby.
The game started at a frenetic pace with the Japanese showing their intentions from the start running the ball from deep, a bone crunching tackle from centre Jack Dixon and a steel of possession enabled him to show great pace and link with fellow centre Hallam Amos to open the scoring for the home team.
The Japanese hit back immediately with a try of their own after sustained pressure on the Dragons line and a further penalty stretched their lead. An Ethan Davies penalty pegged back the visitors, but a further try from dynamic Japanese’s flanker gave his team the ascendancy. Another penalty from the visitors gave them total control of the game which their thoroughly deserved, in the dying seconds of the first half Davies added another penalty to make the half time score 22 -11.
Whatever the Dragons coaches said at half time certainly paid huge dividends as the Dragons came out breathing fire in second half. Tries from Dom Franchi and captain Cameron Regan along with further penalties from Ethan Davies sealed the victory for the Dragons and marked a historic first win.
Will Thomas Regional Performance programme Manager stated that “ It was a good exercise playing international opposition and although the Japanese team were that bit older it was satisfying to see that our under 16 players were able to play at that level.”
A thanks must go out to Newport RFC for hosting the match, it was an opportunity for players to play on a fantastic surface and for both players and coaches it was an invaluable experience.
