RGC prepare for visit to rock-bottom Llanelli this weekend

RGC will be aiming to make it three wins in four Premiership outings this Saturday when they travel to rock bottom Llanelli.

The Scarlets have lost all three matches to date, whereas the Gogs sit third in the table following last weekend’s decisive 26-8 home victory over Pontypridd.

A second half performance of pace in attack and steel in defence earned Matt Silva’s men an impressive bonus point win at Stadiwm Zip World.

It was the visitors who crossed the line first with former RGC prop Ross Davies – who scored the match-winning try in the 2017 WRU National Cup final for the Gogs – this time going over for Ponty.

Unlike in previous games this season, RGC re-grouped and got a hold of the game with some solid phase play and were rewarded with a try from Jordan Scott. Billy McBryde added the extras.

They extended the lead with a superb attacking run from Tom Hughes who offloaded to McBryde to dive under the posts. The fly-half put over the conversion.

The breakdown and turnovers were causing havoc for both sides, as the game opened up.

Pontypridd edged back in the game with a penalty from Ben Jones before half time.

Half-time: RGC 14 Pontypool 8

Whatever was said at the interval worked as RGC came out firing on all cylinders. Efan Jones darted through but was unlucky with his kick ahead.

Beau Williams and Harri Evans set up some solid phases as they worked towards the Ponty line, while Scott was also making his presence known with big carries.

The third try came after Sam Rogers made some space before passing to Afon Bagshaw, who touched down.

George Roberts grabbed the bonus point, with some good footwork to jink pass the tackles to run over the line. McBryde hit the conversion.

As much as the home attack impressed, the final 20 minutes was about defence, with some tackles from Tim Grey, Bagshaw and Evans all standing tall.

RGC went down to 14 men when Rhys Roberts was yellow carded, but it did not stop the defence, who kept the waves of attack back from the visitors, remaining rock solid.

Bagshaw again made a try-saving tackle after he dumped the Pontypridd attacker over the touchline.

McBryde’s boot was clearing the ball at key times and the visitors were nilled in the second half.