CRIMINOLOGY student Ashton Hewitt will be hoping London Wasps are the first club on a lengthy list of victims after catching the eye on his first start for Newport Gwent Dragons.

The 18-year-old demonstrated his finishing ability when his smart try against the English outfit secured a 20-8 LV= Cup win for the region at Rodney Parade last Saturday.

Hewitt combines his time with the Dragons academy with a degree in criminology, criminal justice and youth justice at the University of South Wales in his hometown of Caerleon.

And the Wales Under-20s speedster is among a raft of fast learners on the pitch – he is one of six Gwent teenagers that made their first regional starts in the Anglo-Welsh tournament over the past fortnight.

Centre Tyler Morgan, flankers James Benjamin and Scott Matthews, hooker Elliot Dee and lock Joe Davies also impressed when given their chances against the Scarlets and Wasps.

Hewitt, who plays his club rugby with Newport, believes a fortnight spent training with the first team has done the young Dragons the power of good.

"The LV= Cup is great for us," he said. "It was explained to us earlier in the season that Lyn (Jones, director of rugby) wanted to get us involved.

"A few of us from the academy got opportunities and hopefully we showed ourselves in a good light.

"I think that Lyn is happy with our performances, it's a massive learning curve but it leads us nicely into trying to become professional rugby players.

"We all have plenty to work on and we have to go back to our clubs and keep performing well and developing but the training and time in the (professional) environment for the LV= Cup was great."

Hewitt will now attempt to secure a more prominent role in the Under-20s Six Nations after being a fringe player in last season's tournament before going on to impress for Wales Under-18s on their summer tour of South Africa, scoring five tries in three games.

And experienced Dragons lock Robert Sidoli expected Hewitt and the rest of the academy talent to keep going from strength to strength.

"Plenty of youngsters were blooded and were superb," said the 34-year-old. "That's testament to the academy coaches and the development team, they should be very proud.

"It has been a project since pre-season. They were all keen for the opportunity and they took it, transferring a lot from the training ground to the pitch.

"All you can do is knock at the door and every player did that, some very loudly."

The former Wales second row won 42 caps yet a lunchtime fixture in a development tournament made him particularly anxious.

"I was nervous because I have coached so many of the boys," said Sidoli, who works with the Dragons Under-18s and 16s. "Hopefully I did everything that I would ask them to."