RGC lose grip on cup after hitting a dead end at Vale
RGC’S reign as WRU National Cup holders is over after they lost 16-14 at the first hurdle away to Ebbw Vale last Saturday.
After some positive phases from the Gogs, it was the home side that struck the first blow with a try.
The Vale scrum did the damage before a clever kick ahead was collected by winger Toby Fricker, who escaped a tackle to touch down. Dorian Jones added the extras.
RGC needed to gain some control, and a decent run from Tom Hughes sparked his side into action before his pass failed to get into the hands of Afon Bagshaw.
The battle was being made upfront, and the cup holders were edging towards the Ebbw line inch-by-inch, phase-by-phase, but were turned over and the attack ended without a score.
As the half moved on RGC ramped up the pressure and when Jacob Botica kicked to touch, the line-out and maul rolled towards the line.
After a couple of scrums, finally the pack went over and Andrew Williams appeared from the bottom of the maul with the ball. Botica converted.
Just on the half-time whistle RGC picked up another try with a similar move to the opening score, this time Jordan Scott getting the touchdown, Botica’s kick making it 14-7 to the visitors.
The frustration of the home fans was building in the opening minutes of the second half when the referee’s whistle was going in favour of RGC, but the North Walians struggled to build on anything as the game became a battle up front.
Vale then got a foothold in the game, Jones kicking two penalties to close the away lead to a point.
The boot of Jones was pinning RGC back, and finding touch on the right occasions whereas the North Walians were only able to clear the ball to Vale hands and the back-line kept on running it straight back.
In the final minutes RGC had control of the ball, but a knock-on gave Vale the scrum and the chance to work one final opportunity which they took full advantage of, Jones putting over a penalty and ending the cup hopes of the Gogs for 2018.