Jones bemoans ‘lack of quality’ in defeat
RGC will have questions that need answering when they travel to Carmarthen Quins this Saturday for their latest Premiership match (2.30pm).
The Gogs slipped to a third home defeat of the campaign when they slumped 15-8 to Newport at Stadiwm Zip World last weekend.
After previous losses at Colwyn Bay this term, Mark Jones’s side have bounced back superbly with away wins at Pontypridd and Llandovery.
Now they will need to do it again in West Wales on Saturday against opponents more than capable of asking them lots of posers about their ability to deliver.
Head coach Jones was less than impressed with last weekend’s loss to Newport.
“We showed a lack of quality at the line-out, with poor decision making at half-back,” said Jones.
“They, on the other hand, knew when to input pace and kick at the right times.
“We turned over the ball too easily, and we couldn’t have made many phases in their 22. I haven’t looked at the exact stats, but turnovers were through the roof.
“The players were caught out, they didn’t prepare and it cost us.
“It could be similar conditions against Carmarthen next week and they will compete at the set-piece.
“Our scrum is about the only thing I can say worked last Saturday. We were low on energy, we didn’t inject speed, so have a week to learn some lessons and learn them quickly.”
In a game played in difficult conditions, monsoon-like at times, handling and accuracy were always going to be important. The home side picked up the early try with wing Sam Jones getting on the end of a pass to dive over.
It was a good spell for RGC No.8 Tim Grey, offering some good attacking carries, providing the opportunity for the hosts to push on, but Newport struck back with a converted penalty try.
Not only did they have the lead, but also a man advantage when Robin Williams was given a yellow card.
The game stuttered with penalties and knock-ons, though RGC had a chance to edge in front, but Billy McBryde missed with a kick at the posts.
When RGC worked into an attacking position they gave the ball away, and any pressure on Newport eased.
This would have given the visitors confidence, as the more the game went on the more they grew and built some good phases.
The Black-and-Ambers were making Steve Lewis sure they recycled well, giving scrumhalf Tom Lucas a platform to build.
Matt O’Brien extended the Newport lead with a penalty to make it 10-5 at the break.
After the interval, the game took a predictable form for RGC.
At times they looked to force the pass when they should have kept possession and, from an attacking position, ended up back in their own half.
Giving away the ball cheaply has been one of RGC’s downfalls in recent games and that trait continued as the match went on.
McBryde struck a penalty to get them back in the game, but the visitors crossed the line for the final score of the day, wing Jonathan Morris dotting down.
RGC’s scrum was about the only positive and it did cause damage as the game went on, but Gogs never looked like breaking through Newport’s line.