RGC start year on top
RGC begin their defence of the WRU National Cup with a round one tie at fellow Premiership club Ebbw Vale this Saturday (2.30pm).
Vale finished next-to-bottom of the East Conference last month, but began the combined Premiership campaign with a fine 43-15 win over Llanelli at Eugene Cross Park last weekend.
Gogs assistant-coach Phil Jones expects a big test in South Wales.
He said: “We are holders so clearly the target is on our back, and the focus for us is hitting another good performance.”
RGC, who claimed top spot in the West Conference in phase one, are joint leaders of the Premiership after last Saturday’s 47-14 beating of Bridgend at Parc Eirias.
Both sides started in a fairly error-strewn fashion, but the hosts took the lead with a penalty from Jacob Botica.
The visitors were camped near the RGC line for a long period, but the home defence was solid and as the half went on RGC started to control the ball better.
That pressure resulted in the opening try after Botica fed a ball to Tiaan Loots, and the centre ran a superb line to race over for the score. Botica added the extras.
The home side continued to play the game in the Bridgend half, Botica landing another penalty.
Bridgend replied with a try from Gareth Harvey, Ryan Evans converting.
The visitors’ tails were up and they looked for another score before the break, but RGC dug deep and secured a crucial score before half-time. After the pack rumbled over Henri Williams popped up with the ball and the try. Botica hit the conversion to make it 20-7.
After the break the game went through a dour stage but Botica smashed over another penalty to keep the scoreboard ticking before the visitors picked up a second try, this time from Joseph Gatt with Evans hitting the conversion.
RGC then sprung to life and immediately kept hold of the ball and worked it through the hands. Loots was tackled close to the line before replacement scrum-half Evan Jones dived over for his first try of the season. Botica had a simple conversion for 30-14.
As the clock ticked over the 60-minute mark the game opened up and RGC took full advantage of the space.
Robin Williams sprinted over from the halfway line to clinch the bonus point before Dion Jones grabbed a brace of tries to end the game, along with Botica adding a conversion.