RGC head home after two wins on the road
AFTER two superb wins on the road, Principality Premiership newcomers RGC begin their home campaign this Saturday when last season’s runners-up Llandovery visit Parc Eirias (2.30pm).
The Gogs followed up their opening day success at Bridgend with a fine 30-16 win at The Gnoll against Neath last weekend.
New head coach Mark Jones was delighted with the result, but feels there is still room for improvement.
“It’s not a perfect start but certainly a good one,” said the former Wales wing.
“Two wins on the road will hopefully build up confidence for our first home game next week against Llandovery, which will be a very tough test against an established Premiership side who have always been in the play-offs over the past few seasons.”
Two tries from full-back Afon Bagshaw and a Carwyn ap Myrddin touchdown, plus 15 points from the boot of Jacob Botica, sealed RGC’s triumph at Neath.
Jones added: “On the whole there were more positives than negatives. Our work rate in defence was excellent.
“When Neath threw everything at us we were able to repel most of that until the final quarter, by which time we had put ourselves in a good position to win the game.”
RGC struck first, taking a six-point lead through a pair of penalties from New Zealander Botica before Iwan Evans replied for the Welsh All-Blacks.
The first try came from the visitors following a lineout, then a maul which led to fast ball along the backs.
Hooker Rhys Williams then came into the line and released Bagshaw to touch down to the right of the posts, Botica adding the extras.
Evans landed a three-pointer for Neath and Botica did likewise to make it 16-6 at half time.
RGC began the second half strongly and took a big step towards victory with a second try.
The visitors applied pressure from a series of scrums near the Neath line, where infringing from the hosts could have led to a penalty try on a number of occasions.
Play continued and the ball was worked along the backs for Carwyn ap Myrddin to ground in the corner. Another Botica conversion made it 23-6.
Neath rallied, Evans landing a drop goal before converting a try from replacement Matt Jeffreys, which brought back the deficit to just seven points.
However, the Gogs were to have the last word as they won excellent turnover ball, and a fine kick from Alex Schwarz was gathered by Bagshaw,who ran in for the try, with Botica adding another two points. ● Other results
Division One North: Abergele 16.
Division Two West: Benllech 10 Denbigh 76, Holyhead 14 Llangefni 84, Menai Bridge 8 Dolgellau 58, Rhyl P Bangor P. Bethesda 46