Gogs aim for third time lucky on the road

RGC will be determined to avoid a third straight loss on the road when they visit Llandovery in the Welsh Premiership this Saturday.

The Gogs have been beaten narrowly on their previous two away days, 25-20 at Pontypridd and then 26-25 by Ebbw Vale last weekend.

Mark Jones’ side met Llandovery twice in the first phase Premiership West, losing 31-10 at Church Bank, but gaining revenge 24-7 at Parc Eirias. RGC were defeated by the last kick of the game at Ebbw Vale last Saturday.

The Gogs produced a blistering start at Eugene Park, running in two tries in the opening four minutes via Evan Yardley and Tom Hughes, Jacob Botica converting one. Vale began to rally. After a solid scrum the ball went wide to winger Toby Fricker to finish in the corner, Dai Langdon adding the extras.

RGC edged 15-7 ahead with a Botica penalty but most of the remaining play was in the travellers’ half.

Langdon landed a penalty and converted captain Ronnie Kynes’ try before the break.

At the start of the second half the Steelmen continued with the kicking game and it was bringing success with territory and forcing more errors from RGC.

Two more Langdon penalties made it 23-15.

RGC finally got a foothold in the game with Hughes and Tiaan Loots getting some ball and making some inroads to the Vale half, but chances were missed.

To make matters worse, Robin Williams saw a yellow card for an infringement at the breakdown.

Even though they were down to 14 men, RGC looked to create an opportunity, but again could not strike when in good positions.

The Steelmen were then reduced to 14 men when Alex Schwarz broke and Langdon was adjudged to have made a dangerous tackle on the scrum-half.

This revived RGC and Botica split the posts with the penalty.

The visitors sensed a chance to steal the game with a couple of minutes to go.

A brilliant run from Loots set things up and the move was finished by Dion Jones, who dived in the corner to level the scores.

It was a difficult kick for Botica to convert, but the ball sailed over from the touchline to give his side a 25-23 lead.

But Vale pressure forced a last-gasp penalty and up stepped full-back Dan Haymond, who showed a calm head and a clean kick to claim the win.