Picture by Terry Matthews. ©Matthews TD
Women’s rugby in Gwent was showcased at Ystrad Mynach’s Centre for Sporting Excellence on November 22.
Newport Gwent Dragons Ladies lost out 7-14 to Ospreys Women – a try and conversion by full-back Gemma Rowlands not enough to secure the win.
It was the second defeat of the season for the ‘girls of Gwent’ after losing 13-0 to the Scarlets.
But head coach Gwesyn Price- Jones said women’s rugby in Gwent is going from strength to strength.
He joined the region in 2011, when less than ten women turned up for training.
Price-Jones said: “The region’s been going a while but it’s never really had as much prominence as it has now.
“It’s been a long hard slog but we probably should have won both games this season. A couple of handling errors and defensive errors cost us the games.
“We’re in a much better place than we were a few years ago. There’s lots of quality throughout the region.”
The Dragons’ squad is selected at open sessions at the start of the season and in January.
They also run a Year 10 age development squad and an under 18s team made up of girls from Year 11 and upwards. This season, the under 18s drew 14-all against the Blues before crashing to a 53-0 loss to the Scarlets.
Price-Jones has urged anyone interested in women’s rugby to get in touch, whether seeking a playing or coaching role. He can be contacted on 07812 590909, or at gwesyn@gmail.com.