“The Blues really took their opportunities and were very solid up front. We’ve got eight or nine of our championship winning squad back from last season, but it wasn’t a great start for us,” said Dragons U18 team manager, Nigel Way.
The Dragons drew first blood with a penalty from outside half Joe Westwood that broke the deadlock after 23 minutes. The son of former Wales Under 21 centre Jonathan Westwood, he is in his first year in the age group and formed a useful half-back partnership with hay Hope, the son of former Cross Keys scrum half Neil Hope.
Opposite Westwood was new Wales Under 18 outside half Ben Burnell, son of former Cardiff Blues coach Justin, who was back in action after returning from the recent tour to South Africa. He responded to Westwood’s conversion and penalty with two conversions and a penalty.
No sooner had the Dragons taken the lead than Blues flanker Iestyn Galton crossed for a try that gave his side a lead they were never to surrender. That made it 5-3 at the break and the Blues extended their lead shortly after the re-start when lock Cai James crashed over for a try that Burnell improved.
The Dragons responded with a try from their own Wales U18 wing, Carrick McDonough, and the Westwood conversion cut the gap to two points. Hooker Efan Daniel and No 8 Ryan Wilkins then completed the scoring for the Blues with two more tries to secure the bonus point.
“There is real potential in this squad and we have a selection of boys who have earned well-deserved contracts with the academy,” said the Blues U18 joint head coach, Craig Everett.
“We’re expecting tough challenges against the other regions, but these boys have all been involved with successful sides at Under 16 and as a group we feel like we can have a real crack at challenging for the Championship this season”.
The Scarlets U18 side welcome their Ospreys counterparts to Parc y Scarlets tonight (Wednesday, 28 August), while RGC 1404 get into action for the first time on Sunday when they meet the Blues at Sardis Road on Sunday, 1 September (KO 2.30pm).
