NEWPORT Gwent Dragons have lost out in the race to sign rising Cross Keys star Jack Condy after he penned a deal with the Scarlets.

The up-and-coming number eight was being chased by both regions after some stellar performances for the Pandy Park side in the Principality Premiership in recent months.

But the 19-year-old has decided that west is best for his future, the Dragons losing out to a player forged within the Gwent region.

Born in Aberbargoed in the Rhymney Valley, Condy attended the Welsh medium Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni in Fleur-de-Lys, near Blackwood.

He was nurtured by newly crowned Swalec League One East champions, Penallta, captaining the Ystrad Mynach side to victory in the Welsh Rugby Union Youth Cup final at the Millennium Stadium last year.

His exciting talent was spotted by Keys and Condy grabbed the opportunity given to him by the Gwent Valleys club with both hands.

The trainee electrician will hope to hope to further spark his burgeoning rugby career to life after signing a three-year contract with the Dragons’ Guinness PRO12 rivals.

Condy’s two-try performance in front of the S4C cameras in Keys’ 24-19 away victory at Carmarthen Quins at the end of March caught the eye of Gareth Jenkins, the Scarlets’ head of development/recruitment.

The former Wales coach was in the crowd to witness the teenager’s impressive ball-carrying ability and clinical finishing ability at its best.

Back rower Condy has played his part in helping Greg Woods’ men make the Premiership play-offs for a second successive year.

He is something of a good luck charm for them as well. Condy has made 20 appearances for Keys this season, scoring four tries, and being on the winning side 15 times, drawing once and losing just four times.

He has represented Wales at Under-18s level and also played rugby league for Neath-based side the South Wales Scorpions.