The Dragons and the Scarlets kicked off the WRU Regional Clubs XV Championship with wins over the Ospreys and Blues respectively.
The Gwent side have won both seasons of the competition to date, with teams made up of players who ply their trade in Divisions One to Five of the WRU National Leagues.
Four teams, representing clubs in the four regions will play each other on a one-off basis in this season’s Championship which is used for identification and selection for the Wales Clubs XV. The side competed in an Amateur international tournament in Belgium last August, before beating France Amateurs at Caerphilly in November.
More international fixtures are being planned for this season, including a potential clash with Scotland.
The Dragons scored five tries on the way to a 33-0 Round One victory away at Aberavon, three of the scores coming in the first quarter of an hour to pull away from hosts, the Ospreys.
Newport Sarries wing Wes Cunliffe scored a brace of tries with further touchdowns from David Brake (Pontypool), fullback Greg Callow (Caerphilly) and lock Lee Williams (Newport Saracens). Outside half Owen Biddescombe (Newport Saracans) added three conversions, with Callow adding a fourth.
Dragons Head Coach Jared Lougher said, “It was a good result, especially considering that this was the first time that many of these players would have played together. What pleased us most was the commitment and effort shown by all and coming away from the Ospreys without conceding a point.
“We are expecting tough opposition from the Blues on Wednesday, but if the sides play to form, we should see an exciting and expansive game of rugby.”
There was also an away win for the Scarlets at Abercynon. The Blues fought hard in the first half, with two tries and a penalty allowing them to go to the break with a slight 13-12 lead.
However, the Scarlets’ superior experience and fitness told in the second half, the west Wales side matching the Dragons in try count and finishing 37-20 to the good.
Emyr Williams (Whitland), Llywelyn Evans (Aberystwyth), impressive flanker Sean Miles (Ammanford), Matthew Davies (Narberth) and Alun Davies (Whitland) all got on the score sheet, with Williams adding three conversions and two penalties.
For the Blues, Llantrisant’s Tom Botwood scored twice, with Brecon’s Gethin Davies also crossing the line to keep the Blues in the hunt. Rhydyfelin’s Ross Lucas kicked a conversion and a penalty but the side will be looking for an improved performance at Caerphilly on Wednesday if they are to stop the Dragons’ assault on a third consecutive title.
This week sees Round 2 of the Championship, with two matches on Wednesday evening. The Dragons host the Blues at Caerphilly while the Ospreys travel to Whitland to take on the Scarlets (both 7.30pm).
Blues XV (to face Dragons XV):
1. Geraint George – Llantwit Fardre
2. Andrew Evans – Llantwit Fardre
3. Gethin Deren – Beddau
4. Lee Burgess – Rhydyfelin
5. Jon Burke – Llantwit Fardre
6. Dave Hefford – Abercynon
7. Martin Williams – Llantwit Major
8. Jack Purcell – St Peters
9. Lee Scarfe – Rhydyfelin
10. Mike Thomas – Llantwit Fardre
11. Huw Lougher – Llantrisant
12. Matt Lewis – Builth Wells – Captain
13. Gethin Davies – Brecon
14. David Gratton – Rhydyfelin
15. Tom Botwood – Llantrisant
16. Gavin Moses – Abercynon
17. James Walby – St Josephs
18. Jon Campbell – Barry
19. Marcus Caudle – Llantwit Fardre
20. Kieran Evans – Llantwit Fardre
21. Ross Lucas – Rhydyfelin
22. Dafydd Hellard – Merthyr
Scarlets XV (to face Ospreys XV):
15. Matthew Fisher, Ammanford
14. Nick Allinson, Tumble
13. Paul Stubbs, Aberystwyth
12. Gary Evans, Whitland
11. Lee Evans, Hendy
10. Emyr Williams, Whitland
9. Matthew Davies, Kidwelly
1. Paul Griffiths, Pontyberem
2. Gareth Flynn, Aberystwyth
3. Tom Slater, Narberth
4. Richard Catchpole, Hendy
5. Arwel Lloyd, Aberystwyth
6. Llewellin Evans, Aberystwyth
7. Shaun Miles, Ammanford
8. Aaron Shingler, Hendy
16. Alun Davies, Whitland
17. Graham Jenkins, Haverfordwest
18. Steffan Jones, Pontyberem
19. Colin Davies, Cardigan
20. Chris Jones, Ammanford
21. Matthew John, Whitland
22. Carwyn Jones, Crymych
Other line-ups TBC.
