RGC start year on top
RGC begin their defence of the WRU National Cup with a round one tie away to fellow Premiership club Ebbw Vale this Saturday (2.30pm).
Vale finished next-to-bottom of the East Conference last month, but began the combined Premiership campaign with a fine 43-15 win over Llanelli at Eugene Cross Park at the weekend.
Gogs assistant-coach Phil Jones expects a big test in South Wales.
He said: “We are holders so clearly the target is on our back, and the focus for us is hitting another good performance.”
RGC, who claimed top spot in the West Conference in phase one, are joint leaders of the Premiership after last Saturday’s 47-14 beating of Bridgend at Parc Eirias.
Both sides started in a fairly error-strewn fashion, but the hosts took the lead with a penalty from Jacob Botica.
The visitors had a spell in the RGC half, and were camped near the whitewash for a long period, but the home defence was solid.
As the half went on RGC started to build some good phases and control the ball better, with Tom Hughes and Robin Williams both making inroads through the Ravens defence.
That pressure resulted in the opening try after Botica fed a ball to Tiaan Loots, and the centre ran a superb line to race over for the score. Botica added the extras.
The home side continued to play the game in the Bridgend half, Botica landing another penalty.
On a number of occasions when Bridgend were given penalties they opted to kick to touch and try their luck with a lineout and driving maul.
On the third time of asking they put pressure on the RGC line and got the try from Gareth Harvey, Ryan Evans adding the extras.
The visitors’ tails were up and they looked for another score before the break, but RGC dug deep, especially when Afon Bagshaw tackled winger Mike Powell into touch when the break was on.
A crucial score did arrive on the half-time whistle to the delight of the home crowd. After the pack rumbled over Henri Williams popped up with the ball and the try.
Botica hit the conversion to make it 20-7.
After the break the game went through a dour stage where no points were produced.
Dion Jones was again working hard at the breakdown, and another turnover eased the pressure on the RGC line.
Botica smashed over another penalty to keep the scoreboard ticking before the visitors picked up a second try, this time from Joseph Gatt with Evans hitting the conversion.
RGC then sprung to life and immediately kept hold of the ball and worked it through the hands. Loots was tackled close to the line before replacement scrum-half Evan Jones dived over for his first try of the season. Botica had a simple conversion for 30-14.
As the clock ticked over the 60-minute mark the game opened up and RGC took full advantage of the space.
Robin Williams sprinted over from the halfway line to clinch the bonus point before Dion Jones grabbed a brace of tries to end the game, along with Botica adding a conversion.