First victory of pre-season for RGC
RGC head coach Matt Silva took plenty of positives as RGC beat Caldy 29-26 in their first preseason game last week.
The Gogs ran in five tries from new signing Sam Williams, Sam Earl-Jones, Rhys Williams, George Roberts and Afon Bagshaw.
It was Caldy who opened the scoring, former scrum-half Cam Davies crossing the whitewash with a pick-and-go.
Both sides swapped scores in an entertaining 80 minutes in front of the crowd at Ruthin.
The visitors were looking good upfront, with the pack putting some pressure on the Gogs.
RGC in parts of the game were able to move the ball well, and the crossfield kick was used with success in the first half.
RGC dug deep in the last 10 minutes to keep the visitors out, defending the line as Caldy went through 30-plus phases but couldn’t get through, and RGC claimed the win.
Silva spoke after the game and said: “You want a few things from pre-season games – a big part is blowing the cobwebs away, looking at the physicality and the tough stuff.
“You then add in the technical and tactical aspects with the mental side with the need to keep going and digging in.
“We did that in the last 10 minutes when Caldy pushed us.
“We play to win, and those that say the result doesn’t matter in pre-season are normally the ones that have just lost.
“Winning is a habit and it is good to get a win under our belt and we look to take that mentality to Rosslyn Park next week.”
RGC women turned in a spirited display before eventually falling to a 48-7 loss to Cardiff Blues.
The Gogs’ latest Regional Championship clash drew a significant crowd to the home of North Two side Rhyl & District on Sunday. The progressive squad held their own for the majority of the contest until a late flurry of tries gave the score an unrealistic feel.
The visitors stamped their authority on proceedings from the outset and went ahead with an opening score from the quick-thinking Millie Williams, and they increased their advantage in the closing stages of the first half thanks to a sensational individual try from Paige Randall.
This was met by the swiftest of responses from the home side, who got themselves back into the game when Welsh international Bethan Davies powered her way across the whitewash for a score that she also converted.
Their joy proved to be shortlived as Blues notched another try just before the break when a neat spell of phases presented a chance to Catherine Richards, which she finished with aplomb.
After the break the Gogs held firm in the face of some consistent pressure and were looking threatening whenever they had possession, but the away side pulled further clear when a superb attacking move saw Rebekah O’Loughlin touch down for a score that was converted by Robyn Wilkins.
Fitness levels played a major factor in the dying moments of the encounter, with the Blues capitalising on rare gaps in the home rear-guard to put the exclamation point on proceedings with tries from Seren Gough-Williams, Randall and O’Loughlin.
Wilkins rounded off an exceptional individual outing with two more conversions to complete the scoring.
There was further good news from a playing perspective as the Gogs confirmed the return of hooker Liam Leung to the senior set-up.
The popular figure enjoyed a hugely successful first stint with the club and is expected to provide more competition for places within what looks to be a very strong pack ahead of the new season.
RGC’s under-18 squad were on top form during their recent encounter against Sale Sharks Academy, digging deep in the closing stages to come away with a notable 30-28 triumph.
The Gogs confirmed that UK sportswear brand Oxen Sports will be the new technical apparel supplier to the club from the beginning of the 2019/20 season.
As part of the recently extended partnership with Elite Pro Sports – the club’s retail partner – Oxen will be supplying all on and off-field merchandise after agreeing a multi-year deal with the Parc Eirias outfit.