REEBOK REGIONAL ROUND UP U16

The U16, coached by Stuart Lawrence, bagged a third win in four matches last night to open up a seven-point gap between themselves and the third placed Blues South. What’s more, their 17-8 success over the Scarlets at Llandovery keeps them just a point behind the table-topping Ospreys who snatched a last gasp 11-9 victory over the Blues South.

David Jones put the Dragons on course with a try after 13 minutes – a quickly taken tap penalty catching out the Scarlets – and Adah Hughes’s conversion and 23rd minute penalty helped the visitors into a 10-8 interval lead. However, thanks to a resilient performance in the second half and a 61st minute try from Aaron Coundley, once again improved by Hughes, the Dragons took the points and enhanced their lofty position.

Team manager Billy Vivian said, “The conditions were pretty poor but all credit to the two sides, they both did their bit to make this an excellent game. Our boys had their backs against the wall at times, but their defence was outstanding and the two tries were deserved. Although there is still a distance to go, this sets us up nicely for a real push for a place in the final.”

Hooker Rhys Price, who has been under scrutiny from the U16 national selectors, had another outstanding game and must surely be in line for a national call up.

In the other game, the Ospreys had Daniel Biggar to thank for their last gasp victory over the Blues South at Corus RFC. The South led 9-8 going into injury time, but Biggar landed a penalty with the final kick of the game to win the day.

Joe Deacon put the South in with a chance courtesy of three penalties, but Biggar’s penalty plus a previous penalty and a try from Alex Stubbs won the day for the home region.