Loosehead prop Rudi Creel grabbed a brace of tries - including a sensational long range solo effort - as Dragons Under-18s started the new WRU Academies U18 Championship with a 45-35 defeat to Cardiff Rugby at Cardiff Arms Park.
Led by captain Tiaan Hall, the young Men of Gwent battled throughout and there were only five points between the two teams with five minutes left to play.
Dragons scored five tries through fly half Elliot Young - who also kicked five conversions - wing Theo McKerrow, scrum half Jake Jenkins and Creel (2). Max Evans (2), Alex Ballinger, Isaac Manning-Burke, Cooper White, Iesytn Stephens and Evan Ngassau-Nicholls scored for the home side.
The Dragons Under-18s are next in action when they face Ospreys at Ystrad Mynach on Sunday, August 31. Reigning champions, the Ospreys, picked up a hard-fought 17-16 victory over the Scarlets on the opening weekend.
Dragons Under-18s: Sam Morgan; Danny Hutchinson, Ryley Fussell, Tegwyn Mahoney, Theo McKerrow; Elliot Young, Jake Jenkins; Rudi Creel, Tiaan Hall, Scott Crewe, Elliot Beavan, Dylan Pennell, Gethin Clarke, Jake Leighton, Jake Sheppard.
Replacements: Benson Ngoshi, Ciaran Beavis, Freddie Hicks, Troy Raymond, Hadley Worgan, Felix Preece-Jones, Ellis Anderson, Brogan Leary.
