News

Busy times for The Youth.  As usual the Youth Squad are embracing the #oneclub philosophy at Newbridge RFC and have been supporting our Spartans Under 11 team by joining them for skills sessions on Thursday evenings.  This unique opportunity for the next generation has allowed one to one tuition in the almost every position as the Regional Age Grade boys of the Youth give up their time before their own training session to help in the development of their clubmates.

2 weeks ago The DC squad were depleted as they played their first competitive match in a Caerphilly Cup tie against Nelson from the league above them.  The result was a heavy loss against their older opponents.  At exactly the same time the DA squad inflicted a heavy defeat on Blackwood showing the difference that just one year older at youth level can make.  Trys were scored by Jack Littlejohns, Ollie Howard, Euan Lewis, Ethan Chess, Elliott Haines and Robbie Turley who also added 6 conversions.

With everything rained off last week the DC squad travelled to Machen for their first ever league game and were desperately unlucky as the last kick of the match was put over by their opponents to take the spoils – BAD KICK!

Last week’s downpour meant The DA squad had to rearrange their Welsh Youth Cup match with Pontypool United.   Last time I saw a Welsh Youth Cup match at Newbridge it was the 1985 final between Cardiff and Pontypool United where Arwel Parry kicked the blue and black team to a 2 point win…….. An unfamiliar line up for DA saw back rowers George Price and Euan Lewis in the row with hooker Joel Gilbert at 6.  Late on Gilbert’s departure saw scrum half Cole Jones switch to the flank and Dylan Davies replace him at 9.  United stuck the ball up the jumper for long periods and were good value for their 11-10 lead at the break having scored from a driving lineout and 2 penalties to DA’s 2 excellent tries by wing Tyler Lewis and full back Luke Shore (Shore’s 20^th in just 26 games).  In the second half Robbie Turley took over kicking duties and cool as ice converted a penalty to put DA in the lead for the first time 13-11 before United scored a very good try of their own.  16-13 to them.  DA game back with another cracker from Ollie Howard 18-16.  Then late on it was flashback time as the old crossing rule just outside the 22 was adjudged and United retook the lead with time running out 19-18.  DA weren’t to be denied though and played themselves into position in front of the posts where United conceded the penalty and iceman Robbie Turley once again nailed the points followed by the final whistle  21 -19.  – GOOD KICK!.  The Youth now await the draw for the last 16 being one of only to Dragons Regional teams left in the Cup.

This week coming DA will take a rest from League action as 14 players will be with Dragons U18s in the Regional “Super 6” competition in Cardiff – good luck to all our lads from everyone at the club.  DC will travel to take on Blackwood in their second league game.

Massive congrats to Garin Price (in photo) who has joined Will Griffiths as a Dragons Academy signing in the last couple of weeks.  Griff made his first start for Crosskeys today in their league defeat to Merthyr.