Gogs unlock Keys in eight-try demolition
RGC’S trip to fellow Premiership high-flyers Pontypridd this Saturday is sure to evoke fond memories.
The Gogs defeated Ponty three times last season, those successes including a 15-11 victory in the Welsh Cup final.
RGC were in fine form on Good Friday, running in eight tries in a 55-28 triumph over Cross Keys in a thrilling encounter at Eirias Park.
The hosts produced a hightempo start and soon made an impact on the scoreboard.
A rolling maul was set up from which wing Rhys Williams touched down under the posts, Jacob Botica adding the extras.
Keys responded well with a spell of pressure, but the hosts defended strongly and forced the turnover.
Josh Prosser missed a penalty for the visitors after the Gogs had Iolo Evans sin-binned for attempting an interception the referee deemed he had no chance of making.
Undeterred at being down to 14 men, the hosts produced a solid scrum and worked the ball to wing Williams, who dotted down under the sticks for his second try, Botica converting.
Keys were far from discouraged, though.
After winning a penalty and kicking for touch, a subsequent driving maul led to a try for hooker Darren Hughes, which Prosser improved.
Botica put over a penalty for the North Walians, then a big break from Tiaan Loots led to a third home try.
After some phases Loots himself grounded after being set up by Williams.
The away side’s driving maul tactic was serving them well, and it worked again when No8 Scott Matthews grabbed a try which Prosser boosted to make it 22-14 at half time.
The hosts began the second half as they did the first, on the offensive from the kick-off, and Mei Parry soon delivered the bonus-point try.
Still the Newport-area travellers refused to lie down, the now familiar forwards drive bringing a try for prop Luke Garratt, Prosser splitting the posts to make it 27-21.
From here, the Gogs finally began to put some distance between themselves and the opposition.
Good build-up ended with scrum-half Alex Schwarz touching down close to the posts, Botica adding the bonus. RGC were finding the spaces and using the ball well, their dynamic play leading to try number six when Iolo Evans went over, Botica adding his fourth conversion.
And there was more, a great attacking spell seeing Williams find Tom Hughes, who crossed the whitewash, and Botica again Picture: Aled Wyn Jones obliged with the boot, making it 48-21.
Cross Keys did manage a response when Matthew Powell collected their fourth try, Prosser maintaining his 100 per cent conversion record.
RGC always had an answer, though, and their eighth try went to Danny Cross, who added the conversion himself.