Welsh Cup exit for RGC at hands of clinical holders Cardiff, plus North Wales rugby scores

RGC 24 Cardiff 40

RGC head coach Matt Silva felt his team lacked the clinicalness of opponents Cardiff in Saturday’s Specsavers Welsh Cup defeat for the Gogs at Stadiwm Zip World.

The cup holders ran out 40-24 winners of this first round tussle at Colwyn Bay.

Silva said: “We were disappointing for 65 minutes. We gifted them some scores and didn’t make them work hard for the win.

“They were clinical and punished all our mistakes and we lacked energy both in attack and defence.

“Good teams take full advantage when you are not performing, and that was the case for most of the game.”

RGC went 14 points down before fighting back to level the scores after 35 minutes, but the visitors ran in two tries prior to the interval and increased the lead in the second half.

“We knew it was a tough month for us, and this season every game is a challenge…it is relentless,” added Silva.

“We have Llandovery away next week, so we need to put in a performance. Unlike previous seasons there are no gimmes, wins will only come by working hard.”

RGC struggled to get going in the opening quarter with handling errors costing them territory and points.

Cardiff ran in the opening try on seven minutes through Barney Nightingale with Gareth Thompson adding the extras.

It was to get worse minutes later when the ball was turned over by Cardiff and ran in by Morgan Allen. The boot of Thompson extended the score.

Credit to RGC who rallied and a composed spell got them camped near the Cardiff line. They were rewarded after 25 minutes when Will Bryan ran a great line to collect the pass and ground for a try. Billy McBryde got the conversion.

Scores were level on 35 minutes when some good hands and running from Harri Evans and Rhys Williams combined before Afon Bagshaw did the rest and claimed the try, McBryde making it 14-14 with the kick.

RGC will be disappointed they conceded minutes later, Leroy Garcia dotting down for Cardiff. Jack Brooks soon crossed for his side’s fourth try.

Cardiff were reduced to 14 men just before half time with Callum Bradbury yellow carded.

RGC took full advantage through Efan Jones’ pick and go from the back of the scrum and his pass set up Rhys Tudor for the try.

Half-time: RGC 19 Cardiff 26.

The second half was a less open affair and Cardiff were able to pick up a couple of penalties through Thompson to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

RGC worked to get some territory but could not really break through the defence. The Gogs had a penalty and chose for the scrum, but a huge push from Cardiff gave them the advantage and again momentum was lost for the hosts. Thompson hit another penalty to make it 35-19.

Robin Williams did claim a try for the hosts, but Cardiff had the final cheer when Nightingale grabbed his second touchdown.

Saturday’s North Wales scores

WRU National Cup
RGC 24 Cardiff 40

North Wales Division One
Bethesda 19 Llangefni 7
Caernarfon 5 Pwllheli 12
Llandudno 12 Nant Conwy 10
Dinbych 3 Ruthin 31
Bala 46 Bro Ffestiniog 17
COBRA 20 v Dolgellau 15 (Sep 11)

North Wales Division Two
Mold 20 Colwyn Bay 14
Rhyl 20 Abergele 10
Llanidloes 20 Newtown 17
Bangor 7 Teirw Nant 26
Wrexham 44 Shotton Steel 13

North Wales Division Three
Wrexham 2nds 5 Mold 2nds 17
Llangefni 2nds 29 Pwllheli 2nds 13
Menai Bridge 9 Holyhead 27
Dinbych 2nds 3 Ruthin 2nds 43
Flint 53 Rhos 12