Flat RGC lose to Ebbw Vale:
A FLAT second-half performance, in which RGC failed in both tempo and urgency, gave Ebbw Vale the win at Parc Eirias.
Brothers Dion and Delwyn were named in the backline, and Nick Butterworth was recalled to the squad, after the scrum-half scored for Pwllheli against Llandudno on the Eirias 4G pitch.
Full-back Dan Haymond gave his side 21 points, with a try and the boot in a game that played into the visitors’ hands.
Ebbw Vale picked up a try in the opening minutes and Haymond’s conversion extended the lead.
RGC got a foothold in the game with a couple of powerful scrums, before the Ebbw Vale prop Morgan Davies was yellow carded.
The Gogs took full advantage with a Tim Grey try and Billy McBryde hit the conversion.
From the restart, Ebbw Vale claimed the penalty and Haymond put them back in the lead.
The scoreboard was racking up with Rhys Tudor finishing off an attack in the corner for the try before McBryde nudged the extras.
Both sides traded kicks and Dion Jones took a good ball in the air but it wasn’t much of a rugby spectacle.
The Steelmen were more than happy to slow the game down and credit to them as it worked for them, much to the frustration of the home crowd.
McBryde’s boot hit the penalty to extend the lead for RGC, as they looked to find some rhythm.
RGC were unable to get the momentum from the score and Ebbw Vale kickbounced in the favour of Haymond to touchdown for the points.
Tom Hughes and Efan Jones tried to make some yards with ball in hand, before McBryde hit another penalty to make it a 20-15 lead at the break and a chance to build on a solid 40 minutes.
It was a bright second half start for the home side, as McBryde hit another penalty which also proved to be his side’s last score of the game which summed up what was to come in a disappointing 35 minutes.
The pace of the game dropped with plenty of stoppages for injuries and Ebbw Vale’s replacement took a lot out of the tempo. RGC resorted to using the kicking game more, but it didn’t cause much damage to Ebbw Vale.
The Steelmen then got back in the match when RGC threw to the back of the lineout, straight to an Ebbw Vale player who ran in for the try, with Haymond hitting the conversion.
It was a gift of a score from RGC and one that would prove a turning point.
They had the momentum behind them and winger Dafydd Thomas made some good attacks.
Penalty count was racking up against RGC, as they were punished in and around the breakdown.
The boot of Haymond gave his side three penalties and the game fell away for the Gogs.
RGC struggled with any front foot ball, attack wise they were unable to offer anything of real substance and when the game needed some tempo they couldn’t find it. Without that platform the backline weren’t really in the half.
Will Bryan came on for his 100th appearance, to the applause of the vocal crowd.
Dion Jones and Tudor combined to attack, but the winger was snarled up in the tackle and again RGC couldn’t recycle the ball – a theme in the game.
Ebbw Vale were able to slow the game down and with an eight-point lead, 23-31, looked comfortable in the final minutes.
RGC have a week off next week and their next game is an away clash at Bridgend on Saturday, December 7, kick-off at 2.30pm.
RGC have announced they will be supporting St David’s Hospice’s ‘Jolly Jumpers’ campaign, and are urging supporters to do the same at the home game against Aberavon on Saturday, December 14.
On the day, the club will be having a bucket collection, along with players, coaches as well as Eirias staff taking part, so the club want fans to wear their festive attire at the game.
● See stdavidshospice.org.uk.