COLEG Gwent Director of Rugby Steve Llewellyn has stressed the importance of his side's crucial WRU Under 18 league tie with Llandovery College.

With Llandovery falling to a surprise defeat at the hands of Coleg Llandrillo, Llewellyn now feels that today's opponents will become an even harder prospect.

"It has given the game an extra importance to both sides as there is a possibility that the loser does not make the cup competitions," he said.

"We know that they will be prepared for this game both physically and mentally to the best of their capabilities.

"They like to chuck the ball about a bit so we have to be wary of that but I think we have enough to be able to match them and overcome whatever they throw at us."

Llewellyn was also delighted with the way his squad has improved and progressed during their first two matches.

"We are a young team that has developed over the year and have matured physically which we try to use to our advantage," he claimed.

"The last two games have really been pleasing for me and it seems the boys are building nicely together."

Coleg Gwent travel to Llandovery College this afternoon with Cowbridge Comprehensive hosting Coleg Llandrillo in the other fixture in Group Two.

- Pontypool registered the first win of any Gwent side so far in this season's Under 15's Dewar Shield group stages over the weekend.

After they lost heavily to Cardiff in their first game of Group B, Pontypool bounced back in the best possible manner with a close-fought 24-17 victory over Mynydd Mawr.

In Group A, Newport suffered their second straight defeat at the hands of Cardiff A 22-0 after their opening loss to Llanelli.

Islwyn, of Group C, were unable to play as their opponents Merthyr have pulled out of the competition.

Finally in Group D, Blaenau Gwent were not scheduled to play in the recent fixtures and have to wait till October 19 when they come up against Rhondda.

Elsewhere, Newport Schools Under 11s faced off against their counterparts from Pontypool in a trial match with the aim of helping the coaches establish an A and B squad.

With both games taking the shape of three periods of play, either side produced some impressive skills and running rugby for players of such a young age.

The first three periods, which was the A fixture, saw Newport take the lead through a lovely try by outside-half Ollie Andrews before Pontypool went on to score three tries.

The second period ended in a draw with defences holding firm before Pontypool won comfortably in the final stage.

The B match-up, with Newport mixing and matching players throughout, was a ferocious encounter with Tom Rist scoring a late try for Newport to level the scores at 10-10.

The second segment was another close draw before Newport were much improved in the last period winning 15-0 thanks to Rist again, Ollie Parris and Josh Morgan all scoring with Ieuan Hancock and Jacob Shaw producing some fantastic performances.