Dragons Amateur won five of their six games against the other Regional Community sides in the competition which are made up of players from clubs in ASDA Leagues One to Five. They beat the Ospreys Amateur home and away, the Scarlets Amateur at home and notched away wins against Gogledd Amateur and the Blues Amateur – only losing out by a point away to the Scarlets Amateur on February 21st 2006 (14-13).
Not all matches were able to be fulfilled in the inaugural tournament due to numerous instances of inclement weather which particularly affected the North Wales side. However, with 24 points, the Dragons Amateur finished the season 15 points clear of second placed Scarlets Amateur and have been awarded the title. Players who figured in this season’s competition have a chance of making a Welsh National Community Squad (Wales Clubs XV) and the side’s first international fixtures are set to be confirmed in the next few weeks.
WRU Regional Community Manager for the Dragons Amateur region, Gerry Roberts said players and clubs throughout the region have been hugely enthusiastic about the concept of the Regional Community Championships: “The Dragons Amateur squad this season was made up of over 35 players from 18 clubs from throughout the region and their commitment and attitude towards training and playing in this tournament has been outstanding. It is also important to thank the clubs as this competition would not have happened without the support of the clubs in the region.
“The players have been a credit to their clubs and the backroom staff, including coaches Steve Hill and Steve Pritchard, team managers David Phenis and Bryn Parker, selector Brian Watkins and everyone else who has given their team and energy to this initiative in a voluntary capacity have been superb. It would be fantastic for some of these players to make it into a National Community Squad and pull on the red shirt of Wales.”
