Wednesday 24th August 2011, Leckwith Cardiff Int Athletics Stadium

As this year's U16 Regional Age Championship got underway at Leckwith, the sizeable crowd were treated to some excellent rugby showing good signs of things to come. The Dragons side started the stronger taking an early 10 nil lead, but the Blues youngsters soon composed themselves and put into place their structures and patterns to get back in to the game.

Three first half tries from the Dragons Will Edwards, Tom Williams and Khan Keen were matched by winger Joseph Williams twice and outstanding hooker Harry Roberts. Kicks were exchanged between Callum Sheedy and Scott Turner seeing the Blues go in at half time 20 points to 12 up.

Half time Blues South U16 20 Dragons U16 12

The second half was dominated by the Blues scoring excellent tries through Joseph Williams, scoring 4 tries in total, Ellis Wyn Benham and Matthew Marley. Again outside half Callum Sheedy converted twice in the second half. The game finished with the Blues being convincing 44 points to 19 winners.

The result is a pleasing one and sets up the Championship nicely after a lot of hard working and pre-season planning is starting pay off. The Strength in numbers in the squad was proved by the impact of the subs who only made the side stronger as the game went on. All 32 members of the squad know competition for places will be stronger than ever for the next game away to the Ospreys on September 7th.

Blues South U16

Tries Joseph Williams (14, 35, 38, 41)Harry Roberts (23)Ellis Wyn Benham (47)Matthew Marley (66)

Pen Callum Sheedy (23, 38, 47)

Con Callum Sheedy (19)

D/G

Newport Gwent Dragons

Tries Will Edwards(9), Tom Williams(16), Khan Keen (45)

Pen

Con Scott Turner (9), (45)

D/G

Ospreys U16's 35 Blues North U16's 17

Wednesday 24 August 7-15 pm kick off, Llandarcy Academy of Sport.

In the Blues North's first Regional age grade match of the season the accurate kicking of Ospreys outside half Luke Price proved to be the difference between the two sides. Price opened the scoring after two minutes when the North were found guilty of an offence on the floor at a ruck. Price doubled his effort after 14 minutes for a similar offence. Both sides continued to feel their way into the game and with their scrum in ascendancy the North's forwards were enjoying a period of dominance only to find Prices accurate kicking skills were keeping the away side from the Ospreys danger zone.

However following a series of concerted forward drives with Dillon Lewis and Liam Belcher to the fore scrum half Ashley John was able to scamper over on the unguarded blind side to open the Blues account.

The Ospreys however replied immediately. Following failure to secure the ball from the kick off poor defence on the left hand side of the field saw centre Joseph Thomas plunder a try from virtually thin air, The usually accurate Price failed with the conversion attempt however.

The Blues then lost loose head prop Bleddyn Griffiths to the blood bin with a cut head and was replaced by Luke Raynes just before halt time.

Half time Ospreys 11 Blues North 5

The Ospreys delivered a sucker punch early in the second period when flanker Dafydd Harvey charged over after 37 minutes, this saw the Blues chasing the game at 16 - 5. Despite the deficit the Blues forwards won clean line out ball following a penalty in the Ospreys 22 and set up a rolling maul hardworking hooker Liam Belcher crashed over and the Blues were back in it.

Following a flurry of penalty kicks by Luke Price the Blues found themselves again chasing the game, undaunted however the North continued to push and despite losing wing Morgan Raison to the sin bin were able to score the games next try through lock Matthew Paul. The large penalty count continued with Price kicking two more penalties in the 63 and 66 minutes.

The Blues then lost Full back Josh Williams with a shoulder injury and that signalled a final onslaught from the Ospreys that saw full back Lewis Evans score virtually on the final whistle with price converting from the touch line.

Blues North Head Coach Adrian Evans said,

"It was a patchy performance from us tonight. We didn't put our stamp on the game and our indiscipline was punished by some excellent goal kicking from the Ospreys 10 - Luke Price. I'm sure as a group we will learn from this first experience in the competition and go on to produce stronger performances in future rounds."

Ospreys

Tries Joseph Thomas, Dafydd Harvey, Lewis Evans 1 con & 6 pens Luke Price

Blues North

Tries Ashley John, Liam Belcher, Matthew Paul, 1 con Jarrod Evans