Tries from Ellis Bevan and Harri Millard helped Cardiff Blues A to a hard-fought victory over Dragons A at Ystrad Mynach.
The hosts dominated the majority of territory and possession and boasted a larger squad but some resolute defence and a try in either half was enough to secure a well-deserved triumph.
Thomas Rhys Thomas selected an exciting squad of young professionals and academy stars, complimented by a handful of Premiership players, for the first A game of the season.
Bevan, who impressed for Wales U20s last season, sniped over in the first half to help his side to a 7-3 lead and they battled to victory with a Mason Grady-inspired try finished by Millard and the boot of Ben Thomas.
The young Cardiff Blues side dominated both territory and possession in the opening exchanges with their forward pack edging the early arm wrestle.
They took the lead shorty before the 10 minute mark as Ellis Bevan wriggled out of contact to snipe over from close range. Luke Scully added the extras to give his side a 7-0 lead.
Wales’ Capital Region were soon on the back-foot after a quick-tap from the Dragons caused chaos and led to a second penalty, which was sent to the corner, but the drive was well defended and a turnover secured to clear.
They hit back wait an Arwel Roberts penalty and remained camped in the Blues half for much of the first-half but with little reward as the defence held strong.
A scrum penalty, won against the head, gave Cardiff Blues the opportunity to clear their lines and after another short period of pressure they broke out.
What appeared to be a prime attacking opportunity was lost as the Dragons clung onto Max Llewellyn and forced a turnover penalty and again they pinned Thomas Rhys Thomas’ team back once more.
The Dragons were held up in the final minutes of the half and then driven into touch as Cardiff Blues’ fearless defence held strong for a 7-3 lead.
Cardiff made the perfect start to the second-half as replacement Mason Grady made an instant impact. He broke from deep inside his own half and found wing partner Morgan Williams in support.
The wing beat the final man and perhaps could have finished but unselfishly passed back inside to Grady, who was tackled short by the cover.
However the damage was done and possession spread to the right where Harri Millard finished in the corner, with Ben Thomas, now at 10, converting.
Dragons responded with a driving line out to cut the Cardiff Blues lead to six and much like the second-half, they controlled possession and field position.
But everything they threw at the Blues was met by a ferocious and unrelenting defensive effort, typified by the likes of energetic back-row trio Sean Moore, Gwilym Bradbury and Alex Mann.
They fought to the death and weathered a late storm to secure the impressive 17-8 victory.