RGC host Llandovery for place in last four
RGC will have a WRU National Cup semi-final place in their sights this Saturday when they entertain Llandovery in a last-eight tie at Parc Eirias (2.30pm).
The Gogs have faced the Drovers twice already this season in the Principality Premiership, beating them 28-25 at Colwyn Bay but losing 20-10 at Church Bank on February 11.
RGC and Llandovery are currently just one place apart in Tier 1 of the Premiership, lying and fifth and sixth respectively.
The North Wales side have suffered back-to-back league losses, the latest coming when they went down 28-14 at Aberavon last Saturday.
RGC put the first score on the board after good work from the forwards.
They worked the ball well, edging closer to the line before captain Maredydd Francis picked up and barged over under the posts. Jacob Botica kicked the simple conversion.
Minutes later Francis was shown a yellow so his side were a man down and the lead had been closed by a Steff Williams penalty.
The visitors were dealt another blow when Botica was taken off with an injury, and as a result Alex Schwarz dropped to fly-half and Efan Jones came on at scrum-half.
Will Bryan was next to come off with a knick for RGC with teenager Dan Owen sent on in his place.
Aberavon kicked another penalty from the boot of Williams before RGC went close with a Rhys Williams run, but the winger was held up on the line.
On the half-time whistle the Wizards took the lead with a third penalty from Williams.
Aberavon started brighter in the second half and looked quicker with ball in hand, especially down the flanks, and the injury tally increased for RGC when Tiaan Loots came off after a tackle for Ianto Parri.
Mathew Jarvis extended the lead for Aberavon after he evaded a couple of tackles to cross for a try, with Williams kicking the extras.
As the half went on RGC began to build some foundations, and when given penalties opted for the kick to touch and using the line-out and drive. After a couple of attempts the pack rumbled on and got over the line for the try, Huw Worthington with the score. Afon Bagshaw, on his 100th appearance, added the conversion to cut the deficit to 16-14.
The restart was a poor one from an RGC perspective as they could not collect the ball.
Pressure was soon to be increased after Joe Simpson was given a yellow minutes after coming on as sub.
That man advantage and also some tiredness with the early changes kicked in on the 70th minute, when Aberavon had the numbers on the wing and Ben Davies scored.
Even with that try RGC were still in the match and they worked the phases well to get into the Wizards’ 22, but when they were turned over Aberavon broke down the pitch and fly-half Williams grounded and converted.