Gogs battle Ravens for quarter-final spot
PORTHMADOG will look to derail the Prestatyn Town juggernaut when the Huws Gray Alliance champions-elect visit the Traeth this Saturday (2.30pm).
Unbeaten in the league all season – a run of 22 matches – Town are aiming to become only the second Cymru Alliance team in history to emerge undefeated through an entire campaign.
Prestatyn currently lead the table by 16 points and it appears to be a case of if, and not when, they lift the title.
Porthmadog away is considered to be one of the toughest remaining hurdles in Town’s end-of-season run-in.
Last September, Port came away from the Motion Finance Stadium with a very creditable 1-1 draw, and games between the sides have generally always been close.
If they are to upset the leaders, Port will need to perform better than they managed in last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at Holywell Town.
In an end-to-end first half, the visitors took a 38th-minute lead when Rob Evans’ 20-yard strike deflected off Cai Jones on its way into the net.
Chris Jones should have made it two when he created a great chance for himself, but with keeper John Rushton well off his line the Port attacker lifted his effort over the bar when scoring seemed the easier option.
The Wellmen also had chances, Phil Lloyd shooting wide and Ross Ankers forcing a fine save from Richard Harvey.
Cai Jones found the net on 57 minutes following a slick move, only to be ruled offside.
On 67 minutes Holywell substitute Matthew Harvey made an instant impact, heading home Steve Thomas’ corner at the back post.
Town now upped the pressure and striker Shaun Tuck missed a pair of clear chances before he made it third time lucky, driving home low on 76 minutes.
Port pressed for a late equaliser, but Meilir Williams was unable to make the most of an opportunity when through and Paul Lewis steered wide.
RGC will have a WRU National Cup quarter-final place in their sights when they visit Bridgend Ravens for a second-round tie this Saturday (2.30pm).
The Gogs have already beaten the Ravens at the Brewery Field this season, recording a 20-3 victory in their first-ever Premiership match.
Mark Jones’ side have gone on to clinch a Tier 1 spot, while Bridgend are struggling in Tier 2 after two straight defeats.
The Ravens have won the Welsh Cup three times, their most recent success coming in 2015.
Meanwhile, RGC suffered a rare Premiership defeat last Saturday when they lost 20-10 at Llandovery
Despite recovering from 10-0 down to get back on level terms at Church Bank, the visitors were sunk by a late converted home try.
The Gogs had beaten Llandovery 28-25 at Parc Eirias earlier in the season, but there was to be no repeat.
RGC head coach Mark Jones had stressed the need for a fast start, given the fact his team had trailed 24-3 at home to Merthyr the previous weekend only to fight back and score a remarkable 25-24 victory.
It was Llandovery, however, who were quickest out of the blocks and after a good spell of pressure the hosts were awarded a ninth-minute penalty which fly-half Jack Maynard put over.
The visitors responded well and a kick-and-chase looked promising before the dead-ball line beat them.
RGC built a couple more attacks but the Drovers defended well and then increased their lead on 28 minutes.
Centre Rhodri Jones broke through for a try under the posts which Maynard converted to make it 10-0 at half time.
Efan Jones replaced Alex Schwarz at the start of the second period and RGC were soon applying pressure.
The North Walians were awarded a penalty which Jacob Botica landed to get the travellers on the scoreboard.
After a Llandovery retort came to nothing, the Gogs broke away and centre Tom Hughes went over for a try beneath the sticks which Botica improved to make it 10-apiece with 50 minutes on the clock.
The home side then enjoyed a promising period, and on 65 minutes a big forward push led to a penalty which Maynard kicked successfully.
RGC tried to turn the game in their favour, but the Drovers were proving strong opponents and a good team move led to replacement Mike Evans dotting down for a try, Maynard adding the extras.
Late pressing from the visitors went unrewarded and RGC were beaten for just the fifth time this season.
RGC: Afon Bagshaw, Rhys Williams, Tom Hughes, Tiaan Loots, Aron Evans, Jacob Botica, Alex Schwarz, Joe Simpson, Rhys Williams, Sam Wainwright, Meredydd Francis (p), Henri Williams, Andrew Williams, Will Bryan, Huw Worthington. Replacements: Ross Davies, Phil John, Dan Owen, Efan Jones, Carwyn ap Myrddin, Ben Pugh, Ianto Pari, Mei Parry.