Away defeat for RGC
RGC host Cardiff at Parc Eirias this Saturday seeking to bounce back from last weekend’s disappointing 24-17 defeat at Cross Keys.
Despite the result the Gogs remain an admirable third in the Principality Premiership and this weekend will take on a Cardiff outfit in ninth spot. The match kicks off at 12 noon. RGC’s reverse at Pandy Park last Friday was their first away loss of the season and just second in nine games.
The visitors started brightly and settled into a good rhythm with the backs getting plenty of ball. They were building some good phases and looking to work gaps in the Keys defence.
That gap arrived when Jacob Botica raced through to score the opening try and also convert.
The next 20 minutes were domi- nated by the Keys pack. They drove forward, worked the breakdown and continued to test at the scrum. The home side got some points on the board from a Josh Prosser penalty.
Keys were winning the battle at the scrum and after a number of resets finally drove over for a try from Adam Powell. Prosser hit the conversion.
The next try was a disappointing one from an RGC perspective when Aron Evans failed to collect a high ball and it was easily taken by Tom Lampard who ran in unchallenged under the posts. A simple conversion by Prosser gave the home side a 17-7 lead going into half time.
RGC came out in the second half far livelier and looked to move the ball quicker. Andrew Williams made a decent line break to give the travelling supporters something to cheer.
The difficulty for the Gogs was they were having to make the breaks from their own half and could not get territory in the Cross Keys half.
Botica hit a penalty to nudge RGC closer after the home side were given a yellow for an infringement at the breakdown.
Much to the visitors frustration they struggled to make the man advantage count because Keys kept the ball well.
Some pretty loose tackles were also punishing RGC, as the hosts were making some big line breaks, pushing the visitors back into their own half.
The Gogs were finding more success with ball in hand, and Tiaan Loots made some breaks.
The breakdown was continuing to be frustrating with RGC losing the ball or being penalised too often.
However, with 75 minutes on the clock RGC levelled the scores when pacey winger Evans darted through before Botica converted.
If RGC’s tails were up after that try, it did not last too long. The North Waliams looked to keep the ball moving and sought another score but knocked on in their own 22.
This enabled Keys to work an opportunity from the scrum and after the ball was spun wide Barney Nightingale touched down. Prosser added the extras.
RGC still had time for one more attack, Alex Schwarz with a great break, but Rhys Williams was tackled into touch and the whistle went.