NEWPORT Gwent Dragons Under-18s suffered a defeat in their opening WRU Regional Age Grade Championship opener against Cardiff Blues, writes Chris Kirwan.

The region’s young guns headed into the game with high hopes after summer victories against Northampton and Wasps but went down 29-13 at Ystrad Mynach.

Both sides crossed the whitewash two times but Blues fly-half Callum Hall proved to be the difference, booting a personal haul of 19 points.

The Dragons were left to rue a slow start that saw them trail 24-3 at the break.

Hall kicked a three penalties, a drop goal and converted a try by hooker Gerwyn Coleman for a commanding 19-0 lead after just 22 minutes.

Dragons fly-half Josh Malson got his side on the board after 28 minutes with a penalty but the visitors swiftly responded with a converted try by full-back Curtis Povey for a 26-3 lead.

The hosts came flying out of the blocks in the second half with tries by wing George Gasson and another by centre Connor Edwards, who played for the seniors in their pre-season win against Bristol.

But Hall had the final say when he bisected the posts for sixth time out of six attempts to earn the Blues a 29-13 victory.

The Dragons take on the Scarlets next Wednesday before home encounter with the Ospreys and RGC 1404.

The Under-16s – Dragons North and Dragons South – get their campaigns under way in January.

Dragons Under-18s fixtures: November 19 – Scarlets (a), November 26 – Ospreys (h), November 30 – RGC 1404 (h), January 7 – Blues (a), January 14 – Scarlets (h), January 18 – RGC 1404 (a), January 21 – Ospreys (a), Jauary 28 – U18 final