Late try sends Gogs into Welsh Cup semis
HUW WORTHINGTON’s late try secured RGC a thrilling 41-36 win over Llandovery and a place in the semi-finals of the WRU National Cup.
An epic encounter at Parc Eirias could have gone either way but the Gogs ran out narrow home winners against the cup holders for the second time this season.
Head coach Mark Jones’ team now join Pontypridd, Cross Keys and Merthyr in the last four.
Jones said: “I’m completely proud of the boys who have worked tirelessly for the cause and are now getting just rewards for it.
“We didn’t play that well in the first half, we offered Llandovery a lot of opportunities to score points and we’re too good a team to do that.
“We only had 33 per cent possession and 28 per cent territory in the first half and had to defend for long periods.
“We changed things tactically for the second half. I spoke to the boys about needing to keep the ball a little bit more and we produced a much better performance.
“It was very pleasing how clinical we were when we got into scoring positions, as that is an area where we’ve needed improvement.”
A storming 11-try encounter at Colwyn Bay saw RGC strike first when scrum-half Alex Schwarz made a telling break and off-loaded to Sam Jones to record a try which Jacob Botica converted.
The Drovers hit back when Lee Rees ran half the length of the pitch for a great try which Jack Maynard improved. Full-back Mike Evans then went over in the corner to hand the travellers a five-point lead.
RGC rallied and after a strong spell of pressing the Llandovery line, skipper Maredydd Francis dotted down, Henri Williams adding the extras.
Tom Hughes produced a magnificent try-saving tackle, but the away team would not be denied, Rhodri Jones notching their third try which Maynard boosted with the boot.
The half-time deficit was cut to two points when Botica landed a penalty.
RGC began the second half well, full-back Afon Bagshaw pouncing for a try before a Maynard three-pointer made it all-square at 22-22.
A great team try put the home team back in the ascendancy, Carwyn ap Myrddin grounding and Botica splitting the sticks.
Llandovery roared back but the hosts defended well, then a breakaway brought Bagshaw his second try to put the Gogs 34-22 ahead.
Still the visitors refused to give in and a second Evans try, Maynard converting, cut the arrears to five points.
Llandovery were now inspired, and after claiming two turnovers Maynard broke through for the try he also improved to hand the Drovers a 36-34 lead with time running out.
However, RGC are never beaten and there was a huge roar when Worthington went over for the matchclinching score, Bagshaw adding the two points to round off an amazing tie.