Tuesday 17 January 2012

Blues youngsters bid for cup hat-trick

CARDIFF Blues Under-18s bid to make it a hat-trick of WRU Regional Championship final victories tomorrow when they meet the Dragons at St. Helen’s in Swansea (7.30pm).
The team from the Welsh capital have beaten the Scarlets in the last two finals, however, the Dragons defeated the Blues 13-3 at Rodney Parade in the pool stage last November.
Blues coaches Dale McIntosh, Lee Jarvis and Greg Prosser will be telling their players to put that result behind them as they seek a prestigious treble.
“We will face a tough battle against a powerful Dragons side, but we are confident we can put in a good performance which will hopefully be enough to take the spoils,” said Blues team manager Iestyn Williams.
The Dragons finished top of the round robin table and beat the Scarlets 8-6 at home last Wednesday to book a place in the final.
“All the hard work and effort that the boys have put in this season has been rewarded by making it to the final,” said backs coach Jon Bryant.
“Regardless of the result it has been a hugely successful season for us, particularly highlighted by the number of players selected in the extended Wales U18 squad.”
Meanwhile, it’s an all-Blues semi-final at Under-16 level after Blues North secured two vital wins in four days to take fourth spot in the pool and, more importantly, the final place in the last four.
The North beat nearest rivals the Dragons 18-17 at Abercynon and then made the long trip to Colwyn Bay on Sunday, running out 43-12 winners.

Blues South play the Dragons at Pontypool tomorrow evening but have already finished top of the Under-16 pool. The South versus North semi is on January 25 at Cardiff International Sports Stadium (7.15pm).
Teams for Under-18 Regional Championship final;
Cardiff Blues
A Summerhill; O Smyth, L Chalke, G Smith, J Barratt; G Thompson, J Raikes; C Lewis, E Lewis, J Day, M Snook, L Connolly, J James, S Parker, B Roach (capt). Reps – M Perks, G Nash, M Davies, O Hitchings, S Pring, L O’Brien, L Montague, K Thomas

Newport Gwent Dragons
H Amos; A. Hewitt, J Dixon, D Franchi, L Hudd; E Davies, L Crane; J Johnstone, E Dee, A Jeffries, S Andrews, L  Randall, M Adams, S Matthews, J Benjamin (capt). Reps - D Goode, L Garrett, G Eldred, J Richards, D Jones, J Guy, N Martin, D Callaghan
By David Williams

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