Valorant - WEL - Season Report WEL #8
The Dragons made their competitive Valorant debut in Welsh Esports League #8, stepping into Group B against some of the strongest rosters Wales has to offer. For a first campaign, the challenge was immense: seasoned opponents, proven winners, and line-ups that have played together for months.
Our objective this season was simple, learn, compete, and build a foundation for the future. The scoreboard may not have told the whole story, but the performances showed glimpses of what this squad is capable of becoming.
Group Stage Journey
Round 1 – vs Red Kites (7–13)
The Dragons opened their campaign against Red Kites, a side with pedigree and confidence. From the first round it was clear the team had no intention of easing us in gently. Yet despite the pressure, we stood toe to toe through the opening exchanges. Every round was fought for, trades were tight, and the score remained within reach. In the end, Red Kites pulled clear with experience on their side, but the narrow margin showed that this Dragons squad was here to compete.
Round 2 – vs Pit Ponies (5–13)
If the first match was about resilience, the second was about daring. Against Pit Ponies we saw sparks of creativity: unexpected pushes, coordinated utility, and moments where momentum looked set to swing our way. But in Valorant, fine margins decide maps. A lost clutch here, a broken economy there, and suddenly the scoreboard stretched out of reach. Pit Ponies punished every mistake, showing why they are respected contenders, and left us again searching for that breakthrough.
Round 3 – vs LP X GOATS (2–13)
The final group match was against LP X GOATS, the eventual champions. To make the task harder, we called on Alexthegod from Iceland as an emergency substitute. Against a team drilled and disciplined at the highest level, the Dragons fought for every round, but it became a lesson in what it takes to reach the very top. While the scoreline was lopsided, the experience gained was priceless: the speed of their rotations, the decisiveness of their calls, and the ruthlessness of their execution gave our players a first-hand look at the standard required to win championships.
The Squad
Vybez (England)
Reddwd1 (Wales)
Taffyjones88 (Wales)
Ronan (Netherlands)
Eira (Wales)
EmpraZ (England)
Alexthegod (Iceland) – emergency substitute in the final group game
Every member of the roster contributed to the campaign. Whether starting on the server or stepping up to cover in a tough situation, they carried the Dragons badge with pride.
Championship Semi Final – vs The Rejects (0–2)
Having finished fourth in Group B, the Dragons dropped into the (2nd tier) Championship Bracket for a final shot at redemption. Drawn against The Rejects, who themselves had pushed hard in Group A, the stage was set for a best-of-3 clash.
The opening map saw the Dragons come out with intent, trading rounds and showing the structure that had been growing all season. But as the half wore on, The Rejects found their footing, stringing together key rounds to take control.
On the second map, the Dragons pressed hard with creative mid-round calls and moments of individual brilliance, but momentum again slipped away at crucial points. The Rejects closed the series 2–0, ending our campaign.
While it was not the result we hoped for, this match provided the clearest look yet at the gap between us and the teams above, and also the clearest evidence of where improvements can be made. From clutch scenarios to economy management, the Dragons were in the fight, but consistency proved decisive.
Reflections
For a debut season, the results only tell part of the story. The Dragons may not have recorded a win in Group B, but every fixture revealed qualities worth building on. From disciplined early-round structures to flashes of mechanical brilliance and moments of calm under pressure, the raw materials of a competitive roster are already present.
This campaign also brought unique challenges. New teammates were asked to adapt quickly into a developing system, while opponents relentlessly tested every weakness. On top of that, our squad carried the added pressure of representing Wales' first fully data-driven esports team. To endure those demands and emerge with lessons learned, bonds strengthened, and a clearer identity forged is a success in its own right.
Dylan Carpenter – Head of Performance: "From a performance perspective, this campaign was invaluable. We saw communication improve, adaptability under pressure, and individuals starting to find their roles. The raw potential is there — now it's about refining it."
We leave WEL #8 with replays to study, data to analyse, and a sharper understanding of what separates the good from the great. The gap between ourselves and the league's front-runners was undeniable — but equally undeniable was the potential this squad has to close it.
Looking Ahead
The Dragons' first Valorant season was about planting roots. WEL #8 has shown us the standard required to compete, the intensity demanded at this level, and the preparation it takes to turn rounds into wins and wins into trophies.
This was a season of experience rather than glory, but every champion's journey begins with seasons like this. We now regroup, refine, and refocus. The players know the level, the staff know the process, and the organisation knows the challenge.
Patryk Białowąs – Team Principal: "This campaign is only the first chapter. We've taken our hits, we've learned our lessons, and we'll come back stronger. The Dragons will be a force in this league — that's not a matter of if, but when."
Backed by our community and driven by the lessons of this campaign, we will return stronger, hungrier, and ready to make our mark on the Welsh Esports League.
Thank you to everyone who followed and supported us throughout this first chapter. This is only the beginning.