Fixture

RGC got back to winning ways with a 35-10 result against Cardiff, and Head Coach Mark Jones thought his sides’ performance was back to the levels of earlier in the season – “In recent games Llanelli and Cross Keys challenged us emotionally and physically and we were found out. Today we were back to more of ourselves today in terms of performance levels.  I thought our set piece worked well and our contact was excellent as well.”

“In any sporting contest the opening 20 minutes are scene setters and last week against Cross Keys we played well for the first 10 minutes but then dropped in performance levels.  Today we started well and continued to push on, and we were a bit short in our execution throughout the opening 40 minutes.  I didn’t think the 11-3 score was enough going in at half-time and although I was frustrated I knew we had created enough to know we could get more tries in the 2^nd half and we did that to claim the bonus point”

After a couple of under par performances RGC needed to start the game at Eirias with intent and they did that straight from kick off.  Alex Schwarz was keen to get quick ball from the rucks, and the backline were making some direct runs through the Cardiff defence.

Jacob Botica had a penalty attempt drop short of the posts, but he soon got his side on the board with a successful kick soon after.

Mei Parry made a good break before passing to Huw Worthington but he was tackled as he ran towards the line. It was soon 6-nil when Botica hit another penalty. 

RGC were looking for the try, and perhaps guilty of forcing the pass which in turn led to a number of knock-ons and missed opportunities to keep the ball.

Full-back Afon Bagshaw was back in the team and he was adding some attacking running to the game. He made a great charge down the wing but his kick ahead went out. Another player who has made plenty of line breaks this season is Rhys Williams and the winger was on the charge again before he was tackled.

Both sides swapped a few kicks as the 2 full backs looked to stretch the game and gain some territory

As the clock ticked past the 30 minute mark RGC had the territory and possession but looked a few passes short of a try.  When they finally worked some good phase play Bagshaw delivered a classy reverse pass to set up Tiaan Loots to run through and score.

Scrum-half Schwarz was key to a lot of the RGC attacks, as he controlled the pace of the game and kept the ball moving from the breakdown.  The set piece was also working well, which was giving the backline a good platform to build some play to keep the pressure on the visitors defence.

Cardiff managed to get on the scoresheet with a penalty from Diggy Bird soon after, but they visitors didn’t have much else in the half. Just before halftime Tom Hughes made a break and in hindsight should have passed, as he was held up on the line when the support was on for the try.

If RGC had spurned a few chances in the 1^st half, just after the break Aron Evans showed his pace to score the first opportunity in the 2^nd half in the opening minute. Botica added the extras.

The fly half then added another penalty to edge the score on for RGC.

Substitute Will Bryan made an impact in attack when he made a good run down the pitch breaking a few tackles before setting up Rhys Williams for the winger to touchdown. The conversion was hit by Botica.

Phil John came on for his RGC debut to the cheers from the Eirias crowd, and if John added experience other side of the scale teenager Robin Williams was also making his first RGC start at Eirias

The bonus point try was another one for the highlights package when Tom Hughes showed great feet to jink past some tackles before giving the ball to Rhys Williams, the winger made the break before Josh Leach showed a burst of pace in a support run to collect the pass for the score. Botica was successful with the conversion.

The RGC line was broken when the visitors scored late on with a Cameron Gibbon try followed by a Gareth Thompson conversion.

The Gogs went close to getting another try after some good work from Will Bryan, but he was held up on the whitewash.