RGC National Cup joy
RGC can look forward to a first WRU National Cup Final appearance on April 16 after a last-gasp Sam Jones try sealed an epic 24-20 victory over mighty Merthyr in last Saturday’s semi at Sardis Road.
Mark Jones’ side delivered a huge boost for North Wales rugby by qualifying for next month’s showpiece occasion in Cardiff where Pontypridd will be the opponents.
The Gogs looked to have been pipped at the post when Merthyr scored a late converted try to establish a 20-17 lead, but from the final move of the match Jones went over to seal a stunning success.
RGC enjoyed a great start with stand-off Jacob Botica landing a sixthminute long distance penalty.
The Wern outfit enjoyed more pos- session in the early stages, but the Gogs defended superbly. However, Merthyr pressure eventually earned them a penalty which full-back Matthew Jarvis put over.
RGC upped their attacking effort and the first try of the semi-final arrived on 23 minutes when flanker Will Bryan burst at pace and fed the ball wide to Afon Bagshaw, whose smart inside pass found wing Carwyn ap Myrddin, and he stormed over on his 100th RGC appearance.
Botica split the posts with a magnificent conversion from wide.
Things got better for RGC just before half-time when Botica sold a smart dummy and went over for the try, also converting to make it 17-3 at the interval.
Merthyr came out strongly for the second period and were soon celebrating their first try when prop James Howe raced clear to score. Jarvis added the extras.
The Gogs responded well, but Botica, now kicking into a strong wind, missed two penalty opportunities.
The tie became more tense in the 64th minute when Jarvis lashed a penalty between the posts.
Merthyr were now knocking on the door and wing Terry Gee set sail for the try-line, but heroic defending from Sam Jones and Tom Hughes bundled him into touch.
RGC responded, but a knock-on by scrum-half Alex Schwarz let the opposition off the hook.
Sam Jones then had the Merthyr defence back-pedalling with a magnificent run, but the move broke down.
Then came what Merthyr must have thought was the match-winning moment.
The Ironmen took a quick penalty and a dynamic spurt from centre Martyn Thomas took him all the way to the line.
Jarvis added the touchline conversion to put Merthyr 20-17 in front. But the Gogs would not be denied. One last attack saw Botica and Bagshaw combine and there on the overlap was Sam Jones to race in for the clinching try.
Botica added a sublime conversion for good measure and RGC’s players celebrated wildly at the final whistle after making history.