RGC can take revenge
RGC will aim to wipe out a painful memory when they travel to Ebbw Vale for a Welsh Premiership clash this Saturday (2.30pm).
Back in January, the Gogs lost their grip on the WRU National Cup at the first hurdle when they went down 16-14 to Vale at Eugene Cross Park.
Mark Jones’ side determined to set the record straight when they return to South Wales to take on opponents they defeated twice last season, when the Blaenau Gwent outfit were reigning Premiership champions.
RGC returned to winning ways last weekend with a hard-fought 27-21 home victory over Bedwas, which kept the North Wales team third in the table.
Bedwas grabbed the first try, James Richards crossing and Steffan Jones adding the conversion.
RGC responded positively and steadily stepped up the pressure, which finally told when Afon Bagshaw finished a good phase of play to score a try, Jacob Botica adding the extras.
Speed of ball and the pace of the attacks were breathtaking at times, and the dry track was helping the RGC play.
The one thing that will have disappointed the home team was not taking more advantage of the possession and boosting the scoreboard.
Dion Jones was held up a yard from the try-line when it looked like the score was on.
Botica and Tom Hughes also went close in the corner, but the travellers managed to clear.
Bedwas will have been pleased with their scrum,which was holding strong, and RGC were penalised on a couple of occasions, to the frustration of the home pack.
If RGC felt disappointed with the failure to finish off their opportunities, they received a sucker punch on the half-time whistle when Alun Reece touched down for Bedwas. Jones made it 14-7 at the turnaround.
RGC got back on level terms after some good play in the opening minutes of the second half when winger Rhys Williams raced over the line to score, Botica splitting the posts.
Stand-off Botica landed a penalty to give RGC the lead for the first time and he soon hit another successful kick to establish a six-point cushion at 20-14.
Tiaan Loots continued his impressive attacking performance when he broke down the wing before setting up fellow centre Tom Hughes for a third home try.
Botica nailed the conversion to establish a 13-point lead.
If the crowd thought the game was over, a few nails were to be bitten in the final 10 minutes as the visitors got back into the match with some gusto.
Adam Francis Williams ran through to score his side’s third try and Jones was on form again with the boot.
It was now a six-point game, but RGC were also pushing for the bonus-point try.
That try did not arrive, but they picked up the win against a Bedwas team who challenged them until the end.