First up was Cardiff Rugby’s 46-22 Arms Park triumph over RGC, while the next stop was the Dragons training base in Ystrad Mynach to see the Ospreys win 32-17.
“It was great to be able to take in both games and there were good crowds at both venues. There really seemed to be a strong appetite for the matches on and off the field,” said Pugh.
“They were both quality games and they featured some good individual performances. They were a bit rusty to start with, but then they grew into it.
“RGC were leading in the first half and caused Cardiff a lot of problems. They got into the 22 and were successful in converting their pressure into points.
“There was good impact off the bench from Cardiff which allowed them to run away with it in the end. They scored some good tries on the edge as well as from driving line-outs.
“It was a good in the end for them but they were put under considerable pressure in the first half. It was a bit of a scrappy win for the Ospreys, although they caused the Dragons plenty of problems.
“The Scarlets come into the equation this week and it will be good to see what they can do. As they spend more time together these teams are going to get better and better.”
Cardiff got ready for their tilt at the title holders in Round 2 by dishing out six of the best to RGC. Skipper Alfie Prygodzicz led the way with the opening score, and the Glantaf flanker picked up a second before the game ended, while Cowbridge CS wing Fin Hart also picked up a brace.
Morgan Carter of Dragons dives in to score against the Ospreys
Coleg y Cymoedd centre Calen Edwards and Glantaf’s Wales U18 cap Tom Howe, who came off the bench, also scored tries. Glantaf outside half Lloyd Lucas helped himself to 16 points with five conversions and two penalties.
Josh Turnbull’s side will now face a big test at Llandovery’s Church Bank ground on Sunday, while RGC host the Dragons at Parc Eirias on Sunday. The north Walians managed tries from Coleg Llandrillo lock Will Kellett, Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen scrum half Brychan Gwilym and Llandrillo centre Osian Llewelyn, with Ellesmere College outside half George Owen kicking seven points.
The Ospreys kicked off their campaign with a 32-17 victory over the Dragons at Ystrad Mynach. Coleg y Cymoedd outside half Logan Jones was the star of the show as he notched 17 points.
Having played at centre in the WSC U18 Rugby final against Llandovery College at centre, he switched to the No 10 jersey for the Academies competition with devastating effect. The Ospreys came up with five tries in the end, with another Cymoedd player, replacement hooker Logan Jones, also getting on the scoresheet.
The other tries came from the Ysgol Ystlyfera full back Cian Evans and Gower College centre Jack Hoskins. The Dragons hit back with tries from Cardiff & Vale College scrum half Carter Pritchard, Coleg Gwent centre Morgan Carter and Monmouth School full back Harry Dawes, one of which was converted by Pontypool United’s Morgan Cusack.
TEAMS
Cardiff Rugby U18: Rhys Cummings; Calen Edwards, Bailey Cutts, Ioan Penry, Finlay Hart; Lloyd Lucas, Arthur Garfield; Dylan Barrett, Jac Morris, Jack Clease, Sonny McCabe, Gabe Williams, Brayan Kamanga, Alfie Prygodzicz, Ethan Evans
Reps: Tom Howe, Harvey Jones, Sion Hill, Niall Moore, Matt Halsall, Mason Daniels, Ben Coomer, Harrison Nixon
RGC U18: Gwern Doherty; Reuben Gordon-Astbury, Rory Williams, Osian Llewelyn, Jac Williams; George Owen, Brychan Gwilym; Logan Goodluck, Robert Jones, Oliver Roe, Charlie Cuckson, William Kellett, Cameron Harry, Dylan Avery, Gruff Rhys Jones
Reps: Dylan Bufton, Cian Owen, Jake Young, Eddie Robertson, Joe Ryder, Ted Wilson, Gruff Llwyd, Archie Talbot
Dragons: Harry Dawes; Noah Morgan, Morgan Carter, David Petrescu, Rhys Cole; Morgan Cusack, Carter Pritchard; Regan Jones, Tiaan Hall, Max Woodward, Elliot Beaven, Cerrig Smith, Tiehi Chatham, Harri Jacob, Luke Daniel
Reps: Chester Creel, Lewis Robinson-Blanche, Scott Crewe, Jake Shepard, Benson Ngoshi, Jake Jenkins, Will Ford, Ryley Fussell
Ospreys: Cian Evans; Evan Godwin, Ethan Bolch, Jack Hoskins, Noah Mason; Logan Jones, Caelan Carson-Jones; Logan Heaven-Hearne, Owen Griffiths, Josh Drew, Alfie Thomas, Cody David, Sam Morgan, Elis Cox, Sam Gardner
Reps: Logan Lloyd, Gruff Roberts , Jayden Maybank, Miles Nelson, Ross Rossi, Louis Cooper, Aled Davies, Mackenzie Williams
