Academy Coach Matt O’Brien insisted Dragons Under-18s would learn valuable lessons from defeat to Cardiff Blues Under-18s at Ystrad Mynach on Sunday afternoon.
After back-to-back comeback wins over Scarlets, the young Dragons were defeated 45-19 by Cardiff Blues – despite tries from scrum half Che Hope, lock Joe Cooper and replacement Liam Lewis.
And Backs Coach O’Brien believes his young group will have taken a lot from a physical encounter on home soil.
“We put a good fight in what was a really physical game,” said O’Brien.
“I thought the intensity was good from both sides and I felt the better side won on the day.
“I don’t think we were quite at the races. The four-day turnaround showed in the second half, but all credit to the Blues.
“We have gone behind in two games now and comeback to win and today showed that you can’t let that happen too often,” he added.
“There is lots to take out of that game of where we can get better, both individually and as a side.
“Our kicking game is one area we could improve. I thought Blues were excellent in that area and we weren’t perhaps getting the go forward we needed so we should have reverted to that more. There is plenty to learn from and take out of the game.”
Dragons Under-18s now complete a block of four games with an away fixture with Cardiff Blues next Monday evening (June 28).
“We’re see how we turn up for the recovery session and we have a couple of injuries after today,” added O’Brien looking towards that encounter.
“We’ll review it and see where we can get better leading into next week. ”It is another opportunity for the boys to play, which I am sure they will be looking forward to after today.”
We have gone behind in two games now and comeback to win and today showed that you can’t let that happen too often...
