Dragons U18s suffered a heartbreaking last-gasp defeat to Cardiff at the Centre of Sporting Excellence Ystrad Mynach on Sunday, meaning they missed out on the WRU Academies Championship final.
The young Men of Gwent knew a win would secure themselves a spot in the final against Cardiff but despite a brace each for captain Tiaan Hall and wing Brogan Leary, they suffered a 27-28 defeat courtesy of a last-minute penalty.
With Ospreys securing a bonus-point 24-12 win at home to Scarlets, they will now face Cardiff after finishing a point ahead of Dragons in the table.
Cardiff took the lead through a Harri Kinsey try but Dragons U18s responded through their driving maul with Hall the beneficiary.
Kinsey scored his second to retake the lead before Leary scored arguably the try of the game.
After a strong Gethin Tudball carry gave Dragons go-forward, the ball was fed through flyhalf Jac Couchman to George Bradbury before Tegwyn Mahoney on the loop passed to a flying Leary who burst through and beat the covering defence to score.
A Fin Britton penalty for the visitors ensured that Cardiff led 17-14 at halftime, despite two conversions from Dragons 10 Couchman.
The second half saw another Hall try from a driving maul with Cardiff responding following a tap and go with flanker Louis Allen going over.
A brilliant crossfield kick from Couchman found Leary who scored in the corner for his second score to reclaim the lead for Dragons.
Britton slotted a drop goal before a penalty from Dragons U18s fly-half Elliot Young saw the lead change hands in the final minutes.
However, with the last moments of the game, Cardiff won a penalty and Britton obliged to see the capital club win 28-27 and ensure they finished the group stages with eight wins from eight.
\Dragons U18s team: Ryley Fussell; Brogan Leary, George Bradbury, Tegwyn Mahoney, Ottis Mighten; Jac Couchman, Felix Preece-Jones; Ciaran Beavis, Tiaan Hall (c), Scott Crewe, Elliot Beavan, Dylan Pennell, Gethin Tudball, Jake Leighton, Troy Raymond.
Replacements: Morgan Suller, Jayden Llewellyn, Oscar Friend, Ashton Swain, Reuben Malson, Rhodri Davies, Elliot Young, Lewis Appleby.
