Welshpool Rugby Club

RGC 1404 19 v BARGOED 5

A glorious mid-Wales Summers afternoon saw RGC 1404 play their opening pre-season game against Bargoed, runners-up last season in Division 1 East, and next season part of the newly formed Championship.

From the opening kick off the RGC 1404 side showed that they weren't going to be intimidated by what was a very physical Bargoed team and demonstrated their intent to play an attacking brand of rugby by involving their exciting back-line at every opportunity.

And it was therefore no shock that their opening score when it arrived came from a break from inside centre Mike Jones that was ultimately finished off with aplomb by openside flanker, Tom Parry. Unsurprisingly the try, converted by outside half, Rhodri Carlton-Jones, spurred the South Walian side into action who began to attempt to slow the tempo of the game down and bring their forwards into play.

However the RGC 1404 pack, led by inspirational captain Kelvin Davies, proved themselves more than able to respond and it was young second rower, Mareddyd Francis, who scored the home side's second try of the half when he galloped in unopposed from the 22 metre line to cross the whitewash under the posts. Carlton Jones again adding the extras.

The second-half saw the RGC 1404 coaches ring the changes bringing 11 new players onto the pitch but it did not affect the flow of the game with the home side looking to maintain their expansive style of rugby whilst Bargoed preferred to keep the ball closer to hand, and it was from a period of persistent pressure close to the RGC 1404 line that they were able to drive over for their only score of the game.

Fittingly the final word came from the home side when left wing Gaz Evans showed a clean pair of heels to the cover defence to go over in the corner.

Commenting after the game Head Coach, Chris Horsman said,

'I was absolutely thrilled both by the result and the performance shown by the whole squad. What today demonstrated was both the depth that we have in our playing strength and how well the boys have responded to our pre-season training. Bargoed are nobodys pushover and I am sure will have a succesful season in the championship. However it is important that we don't get too carried away. There is still a lot of hard work to do.'

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Picture albums from today's can be viewed at www.midwalesrugby.com

OVER 100 PICTURES IN THREE ALBUMS