This was the opening fixture of the Juniors' 2015/16 BWWPL. Several players were unavailable for this fixture due to representing Wales' national boys and girls water polo teams in the Inter Regional Championships. As a result, the squad featured an inclusion of loanee players from different clubs. With a virtually unrecognisable line-up, this was speculated to be a closely-fought encounter.
The Dragons drew first blood and scored the game's first two goals before Newport immediately pegged us back. However, we regained focus and scored three goals on the bounce, thanks to a first-quarter hat-trick from J.Williams before the opposition hit back and finish the quarter just trailing by the two goals. We led 4-2 after the first seven minutes.
In the following quarter, Newport started brightly and scored first to take themselves within a goal of us. We reacted positively and scored a quick-fire triple through J.Williams once again to go into a 7-3. Just like in the previous quarter, Newport scored just before the interval to make the score 7-4 at half-time.
In the third quarter, Newport came out of the starting blocks the quickest once again and scored the first goal in that period. However, we responded well once more to three consecutive goals. With the game at 10-5, the Dragons looked more self-assured and confident before Newport enjoyed a short spell of dominance and scored a brace, making the scoreline 10-7. However, we finished the quarter on top as we striked back by scoring again and recovered a four-goal cushion.
In the final quarter, we started strongly and scored a triple-goal salvo, playing with the same potency and impetus we showed all throughout the match. Newport scored once more before J.Williams scored his tenth of the match and our fifteenth overall. At this point, the away team found extra motiviation and spark with late surge; grabbing two goals to finish the match in double figures.
With several regular players missing the match through national duty, this was not going to be the standard run-of-the-mill victory for us. We needed to focus and modify our state of mind, and because we did, we came out triumphant in a fairly comfortable victory. The loaned players did a good job for the Dragons, quickly adapting and producing a fine display with just eight players. The Dragons win the first match of the season, the first stepping stone - hopefully towards a successful campaign. Cwm Draig 15-10 Newport.
Cwm Draig Matchday squad (Personal Fouls)
1) Joseph Davies (0)
2) James Williams (2)
3) Thomas Beegan (1)
4) Morgan Taylor (0)
5) Drew Morgan (0)
6) Morgan Griffiths (0)
7) Joe Perry (1)
8) KJ Williams (0)
Cwm Draig scorers in first quarter (Total)
2) James Williams (3)
3) Thomas Beegan (1)
Cwm Draig scorers in second quarter (Total)
2) James Williams (3)
Cwm Draig scorers in third quarter (Total)
2) James Williams (1)
4) Morgan Taylor (1)
6) Morgan Griffiths (1)
7) Joe Perry (1)
Cwm Draig scorers in fourth quarter (Total)
2) James Williams (3)
4) Morgan Taylor (1)