RGC host Pontypool after heroic cup exit
AFTER their heroic but losing Swalec Welsh Cup effort last weekend, RGC return to league action this Saturday with a big home clash against Pontypool.
Fourth meets third in a muchawaited Championship clash at Parc Eirias where the Gogs will be determined to return to winning ways.
It was a case of so near and yet so far for RGC as they exited the SSE Swalec Cup with a 25-19 defeat at the hands of Premiership side Carmarthen at Colwyn Bay last Saturday.
This quarter-final tie at Brookfield Drive saw the Championship hosts push their opponents all the way only to fall just short at the final hurdle.
RGC had caused a sensation by knocking out Premiership outfit Aberavon in the previous round, but there was to be no double giant-killing for the Gogs.
The visitors ran in three tries with fly-half Craig Evans kicking two conversions and two penalties to put away their Championship opposition.
There was barely a score in it for much of the game as both sides traded the lead.
RGC opened the scoring with an opportunist try after a quick turnover sent the ball across the park to wing Tiaan Loots, scorer of the key touchdown against Aberavon.
Loots evaded one tackler and crashed through another three to score, but James Lang’s conversion sailed wide.
Carmarthen were rewarded for their long spell of pressure with a try under the sticks for centre and North Walian Iolo Wyn Evans, converted by Craig Evans.
And Quins put themselves further ahead with a try in the corner for wing Lee Williams just before half time.
RGC hit back immediately after the restart with a try from Evan Yardley, this time converted successfully by Lang.
The hosts had a chance to edge themselves in front but Lang’s penalty kick hit the post.
Afon Bagshaw burst through midfield for a certain try after a battle at the 10-metre line, but play was called back for a scrum near halfway.
The visitors put themselves in front with a penalty from Evans to make it 15-12, but RGC full-back Bagshaw crossed the whitewash soon after.
He was on the end of some sharp passing play in the Quins 22 and burst through the defence to score.
Lang’s conversion made it 19-15 to the hosts with 20 minutes left and the sizable home crowd were dreaming of the semi-finals.
But the Quins hit back with vicious efficiency as Williams leapt into the try area for his second of the afternoon, leaving a simple conversion for Craig Evans.
The game could have gone either way just three points in it and less than 10 minutes on the clock.
But Craig Evans’ last penalty put the Quins six points ahead, and RGC were unable to find the converted try they needed before the referee blew for fulltime.