RGC buoyed by first away win of season
RGC entertain Bridgend Athletic this Saturday buoyed by their first away win of the season in the Swalec Championship
The Gogs went to division newcomers Newcastle Emlyn and returned home with a 28-16 victory.
RGC head coach Josh Leach had mixed feelings after the result.
“It was very much a curate’s egg of a performance with a lot of good stuff mixed together with some areas that need improvement,” said Leach.
“However, overall I was delighted. The backs looked dangerous every time they had the ball and it was great to see Tom Hughes score his first try since his return from injury.
“Huw Worthington was again outstanding in breaking the gain line almost every time he had the ball and I thought Bryn Williams had his best game of the season thus far.
“We have very much focused on improving our away performances and this afternoon showed that this focus is hopefully paying dividends.”
Although the home side opened the scoring with a long range penalty, RGC crossed the whitewash first when Carwyn Ap Myrddin finished off a slick handling move which included a sublime pass from veteran secondrow Bryn Williams.
RGC’s second try came shortly afterwards when man of the match Rhun Williams was quickest to react to a superb kick from James Lang to touch down in the corner.
Although Newcastle Emlyn narrowed the gap with their second penalty it was not long before RGC scored their third touchdown.
Livewire 17-year-old scrum-half Efan Jones notched his first senior try when he darted over from close range.
The fourth and bonus point try came from centre Tom Hughes, who showed both great speed and footwork to touch down behind the posts. Fly-half Lang added the extras.
Although the hosts landed their third penalty on the stroke of half time, RGC led at the interval 25-9.
The second half began in much the same way as the first with full-back Williams making a scorching break from inside his own half before being felled just short of the try-line.
However, to their credit the home side from that point came more and more into the game and were rewarded for their efforts with a try of their own from a driving maul through Mikey Jones.
Emlyn threatened once more, but sterling defence led by the RGC back row of Worthington, Will Bryan and Andrew Williams turned the ball over and from that point on the home side never looked like scoring again.
Any nerves being experienced by the visiting supporters were calmed by Lang slotting over a penalty and RGC were perhaps a little unfortunate not to score again when a Bryan effort was ruled out by the referee for offside.