Excellent win against Newbridge

By Mike Jones

RGC 31 Newbridge 0

Some games are remembered by the tries, some games are remembered by the defence but the win versus Newbridge will be remembered by the mud.

Staff and volunteers worked hard for an hour before kick-off to remove the water from the pitch and the game kicked off at a muddy Eirias.

Early pressure from RGC pushed the visitors back as they looked for the opening try. That pressure counted with Josh Leach going over with a conversion from James Lang.

RGC were letting the ball do the work with a few kicks to test the visitors handling and make sure the game was played in the Newbridge half. The pitch was clearly slowing the tempo of the game down, and the usual RGC spark from the backline was not to be seen.

James Lang once again pivotal in the RGC attacks, as his trusty boot was finding touch regularly.

Danny Cross was unable to keep hold of the slippery ball when a try looked on, and the rain continued to fall heavily.

20 minutes in and the visitors began to get into the game and had a couple of line breaks to cause alarm to the Gogs defence.

The conditions began to worsen, but credit to both sides as they tried to play some rugby. Newbridge had a chance to get on the scoreboard but Lewis Hudd missed the penalty.

RGC’s discipline around the breakdown was also key, as they pressured without giving away many penalties.

The away side had another dart down the line but Mathew McGovern was tackled into touch by Sam Jones.

As the clock ticked on Efan Jones launched a high kick and Mei Parry collected the bouncing ball and outsprinted everyone to go at the posts. Lang’s boot made it 14 – nil. To pick up a score on the half time was an added boost to the players heading into the dressing room.

Newbridge came out with 14 men in the 2nd half as Luke Morgan picked up an injury and they didn’t have any replacements.

Josh Leach once again playing at centre got his second score after grapping a loose ball and running round the back of the maul to dart in at the corner. The RGC coach adds physicality to the backline both in attack and defence.

Both teams were given a yellow after Gerwyn Davies clashed with Afon Bagshaw.

The rain continued to fall, but the intensity of the game didn’t stop as the Gogs searched for the bonus point. Try 4 and 5 came from Tim Grey and it was pretty much job done after 65 minutes. Newbridge even with 14 men continued to look for a try, and tested the RGC defence in the last 10 minutes but the RGC line stood firm.

Eirias witnessed some big performances from players today, including Sean Lonsdale, who put in a Man of the Match winning shift in the pack. The score from Newbridge never arrived, and for the 2nd time this season a visiting team left Eirias with Nil on the scoreboard