RGC aiming to continue fine form at home
RGC will target a fourth straight home win in the Premiership when they host Cross Keys at Parc Eirias this Saturday (5.15pm kick-off).
The Gogs have shown much improved form at Colwyn Bay of late, although last weekend’s trip to Aberavon delivered disappointment in the shape of a 15-7 defeat.
The Wizards went 15-0 up early in the second half, and that was enough for them to clinch the game even with a late flurry from the visitors.
There was not too much between the teams, but the turning point in the first half was down to RGC’s error.
They had a line-out on their own 10-metre line, went for the long throw and it was collected by Aberavon flanker Joe Tomalin-Reeves, who scored an opportunist try. Chris Banfield added the extras.
RGC did regroup and ended the half on top with possession and territory, but were unable to make inroads through the Wizards’ defence before the interval
Aberavon’s second try came in the opening minutes after the break, prop Rowan Jenkins crashing over.
The next score was to be an important one for both sides in terms of the outcome, and when it arrived it was for Aberavon with a penalty from Barnfield.
Matters were made worse when Bryn Jones was yellow-carded for the visitors.
RGC replacement Karl Martin added some energy when he came on, and impressed taking a catch from a high ball in the corner, when the try was on for Aberavon.
His running was also good, crashing through some tackles with ball in hand.
Like much of this season, the visitors were let down with some handling errors at key moments and when the ball was moved down the line it ended with some knock-ons.
The Gogs finally managed to cross the line, after some good work from Martin.
It was his first try for RGC, and he showed some fine footwork to come in from the line to run in under the posts.
Billy McBryde hit the conversion which made it more of a game in the closing minutes – but it was too little, too late as the damage was done by the Wizards in that opening spell of the second half.