In the latest round of matches in the WRU Regional Age Grade Championship, Blues North under 16s defeated Blues South 19-8 at Abercwmboi thanks to 15 points from outside half Sam Withers.

In the latest round of matches in the WRU Regional Age Grade Championship, Blues North under 16s defeated Blues South 19-8 at Abercwmboi thanks to 15 points from outside half Sam Withers.

Still a year young for the age group, Withers crossed for a try and kicked two conversions and as many penalties as the North made it four wins in five matches and four successive wins on home soil.
Oliver Smyth and Jon Barnett also crossed the whitewash for the hosts, whilst for the South, who were combative throughout, outside half Tom Smith scored a try and added two penalties and a conversion.
“It was a good win, a hard fought game and we’te obviously delighted to finish the first round of matches with four wins and only one defeat. However, it’s certainly not a time to rest on our laurels as we have four away games to come,” said team manager Nigel Way.
It was a case of honours even between the Dragons and Ospreys – the Gwent region came out on top, 19-8, at under 16 level whilst the Ospreys under 18s were 34-6 winners over the Dragons at Llandarcy Academy.
With the Ospreys under 16s on top of the pile, going into last night’s game at Cross Keys, a fourth away day success of the new season looked the most likely result.
However, having already beaten the Blues South and RGC 1404, the host region proved too strong for their visitors with team manager Colin Brennan delighted with the result. “They are a good side, there is no doubt about that. However, we stuck in there and took our chances in the second half. We are obviously delighted to beat a side that was previously unbeaten,” said Brennano, whose side are still on course to book a place in the play-offs.
Scrum half Luke Crane set the Dragons on their way with a first half try and though lock Deryn Jones was red carded shortly before half time, they made sure of victory courtesy of a second try, from centre Hallam Amos and three penalties from the educated boot of outside half Lloyd Rogers.
Full back Adam Rowlands scored the Ospreys’ only try of the night with outside half Josh White adding a penalty. However, it was not enough to snatch a result or even a losing bonus point as the Dragons held on to a third win of the season.
Back at Llandarcy, the Ospreys under 18s bagged a bonus point in beating the Dragons 34-6. Steffan Lewis crossed twice for the Ospreys with Rhys Thomas and Adam Wellington adding tries number three and four. Ben Roberts and Sam Davies each kicked two conversions with Roberts adding two penalties for good measure.
For the Dragons, Ethan Davies was the lone scorer. However, his two penalties were not enough to salvage even a losing bonus point for the Gwent region.