RGC clinch bonus point win:
MENAI Bridge bounced back from last week’s home defeat to Machynlleth and secured a 45-17 bonus point win against visitors Rhos.
The opening clever play by Dion McGrath.
When a penalty try was fly-half
was awarded to Bridge on the edge of the Rhos 22, he spotted the narrow defence and kicked across field to right wing Logan Jones, who gathered and went over for a try.
A further try was scored by prop Adam Goodwin as Bridge got their passing game going
RGC picked up a bonus point win in the final home game of the year as they beat Aberavon 36-30.
Ahead of the game, coach Saul Nelson told the club’s official website: “The Bridgend game last week was a performance we have building for a number of weeks in many respects.
“The way in which the players had prepared for the game was pretty impressive and it’s nice to see the whole group coming together and producing the rugby they are at times.
“To come away knowing we had played well for large periods of the game and not pick up a try bonus point is pretty frustrating as it was definitely there for the taking, but if we wish to keep progressing then we have to be far more ruthless when we create those chances.
“Looking ahead to Aberavon, we have to respect the brand of rugby they play as they have a good pack and dangerous backline but this week’s preparation has been concentrating on us and controlling the things we can.
“I am very pleased with the manner in which the forwards are progressing to date but I am also well aware of the potential this group has.
“Vince Lombardi once said, ‘we will chase perfection and chase it relentlessly, knowing all the while we can never attain it. But along the way, we will catch excellence’.”
RGC were rampant in the first half running in four tries, with some great attacking breaks and well worked scores.
Billy McBryde opened the scoring with a try under the posts, with the fly-half adding the conversion.
Aberavon got some points on the board with a James Garland penalty.
Jordan Scott and Harri Evans were making some good carries, making inroads with ball in hand.
The away side started to put some pressure on the RGC line, and had a good spell and Goodwin was rewarded for excellent support play and the half-time score was 12-0.
The second half was a much higher scoring spectacle and Rhos got on the scoreboard when a well worked phase of play sucked in the Bridge defence to leave an overlap for wing Simon in the RGC 22m line.
Credit to RGC who defended well, and managed to soak up the attacks and then hit Aberavon with a sucker punch.
The Gogs kept the ball well, and a composed number of phases gave Dion Jones the chance to break the line before setting up Harri Evans for the try.
They grabbed try number three after a trademark Tom Hughes drop of shoulder and dummy created some space and the centre offloaded to Efan Jones to run in.
McBryde was successful with the nudge.
It was a whirlwind 15 minutes for RGC, and they claimed the bonus point try after another great break from Dion Jones, who unselfishly passed to Harri Evans to cross the line.
Aberavon made sure they were still in the game when Garyn Payne went over for a try in the corner, but Garland missed the conversion.
The opening of the second half began with a McBryde penalty.
Credit to the Wizards who opened up and played some good rugby, especially down the left wing. Scrum-half David Pritchard was pulling the strings and causing the Gogs some problems.
Ashton Evans and Joe Gage scored a couple of tries, but the boot of Garland misfired for the extras.
With the lead reduced to six points, RGC needed a score to give them some daylight and they worked the ball to the line before Sam Williams got the try. McBryde hit the conversion. Sam Williams was given a yellow card with six minutes left on the clock.
But even the last play try and conversion from the away side couldn’t spoil the festive feel for the RGC fans as they celebrated the win.
“They (Aberavon) are a very good side that have threats right across the park” coach Latham Tawhai told the club’s official website.
“They have quality at the setpiece,
Hughes corner.
Bridge replied soon after through centre Dave Williams, who split the Rhos defence and once through left the cover tacklers in his wake for a superb try.
Goodwin then popped up to power over for the bonus point try. to score at the breakdown, they don’t concede many tries, and they like to throw the ball about with a good offload game.
“Crazy as it sounds, the bigger in his
Rhos still looked dangerous when they attacked and number eight Jack Morris crashed over for a try to narrow the gap.
Another attacking scrum for Bridge saw the ball moved along the back line to Logan Jones who scored on his wing. From the restart Bridge the game the more up for it the boys are so this week is one we’re really looking forward to.
“As we head towards the halfway point of the season a big attacked again and this time, Gerwyn Morris went over and although the home side were extending their lead, Rhos still dug in and Mike Muia crossed for a try.
Logan Jones then clinched his hat-trick to make the final score 45-17. positive would be where we are on the table, especially given how young this side is.
“Maybe on average they are youngest in the league.”