THERE were mixed emotions for the Dragons Ladies after they were edged out by the Scarlets in round one of the WRU Regional Championship at Ystrad Mynach, writes Chris Kirwan.

It was a nip and tuck encounter throughout but the visitors took to the spoils 17-15 thanks to a late penalty and by holding up the Dragons over the line from the final play.

Lock Keighlee Williams scored the first try after good defensive pressure and a turnover while wing Charlie Murray crossed for the second after a patient attack.

Wales fly-half Elinor Snowsill kicked a conversion and a penalty but it wasn't quite enough, despite a hugely encouraging performance.

"A couple of bounces of the ball went against us and we made a few costly mistakes," said coach Gwesyn Price-Jones.

"It's frustrating to have come so close to winning but this shows how far we have come as a team considering where we were a couple of seasons ago.

"Cerys (Hale, captain) summed it up when she said to me afterwards that now she is gutted about only getting a bonus point when in the past she has been gutted after we have been destroyed.

"This group has come a long way and it was a really good performance even though we had some injuries and two players away at the UK Schools Games.

"We can now put a competitive side out and those that missed the Scarlets game are going to have to work really hard to get back in."

They are next in action when they take on the Ospreys, who thrashed Cardiff Blues, at St Helen's on Sunday, October 2.

Meanwhile, four Dragons youngsters have been selected to play for Wales Under-18s in the Rugby Europe sevens competition in France.

India Berbillion, Kourtney Lewis, Courtney Greenway and Eve Jones will represent their country in the tournament in Vichy this weekend.

Anyone interested in getting involved in girls rugby as a player or coach can contact Price-Jones on 07812 590909 or womensdragons@wru.wales