Gogs unable to halt slide
RGC will be determined to end a run of three straight Premiership defeats when they welcome Newport to Parc Eirias this Saturday.
The Gogs slipped to fifth in the table after suffering a first home loss of the season last weekend, leaders Merthyr taking the spoils 20-13 at Colwyn Bay.
RGC were dealt a blow after three minutes when Tom Hughes was taken off with an injury, Danny Cross slotting into the centre.
Matthew Jarvis gave the Ironmen the lead with a penalty and, soon after, they crossed the line for a Nathan Trevett try following a big drive. Jarvis hit the conversion.
RGC’s only try of the game came via great individual play from Afon Bagshaw.
The winger ripped the ball from a Merthyr player with the visitors close to the RGC try-line.
From that point, Bagshaw turned on the after-burners and raced down the line to score. Jacob Botica nudged the extras over.
Some good hands from the RGC backline opened up some space with Alex Schwarz, Ianto Parri and Botica combining well.
Botica levelled the scores with a penalty.
Merthyr cranked up the pressure with a couple of drives that nearly got them over the line.
That pressure increased when Will Bryan was shown a yellow card and the Ironmen took advantage when Rhys Williams went over. Jarvis again was successful with the kick.
Credit to RGC as they created some good attacks with the 14 men, Schwarz again using the ball well. Botica closed the gap to 13-17 with a penalty before half time.
Much of the second half was spent in midfield, with RGC having ball aplenty but they were unable to break the visitors’ line.
As much as the Gogs worked the phases the accuracy towards the line let them down. Botica was unlucky with a penalty attempt as it smashed against the posts.
The set-piece misfired at crucial points as well, which let the visitors clear the ball and ease pressure.
It was a low scoring half with the only points coming from the boot of Jarvis, who made it 20-13 with a penalty.
The minutes rolled on and the home side never stopped looking for that try but the attacks failed to result in that important score.
As RGC went through multiple phases they were let down by errors at key times, when it looked like a touchdown was on. As if to sum up the game the final play ended with a knock-on from RGC in attack and Merthyr celebrated the win.