RGC 37 v Neath 19 - match report

Head Coach Mark Jones took plenty from his sides win against Neath “I am delighted with the win and the performance. Up until their last try I thought we dominated the set piece and it was credit to the forwards. We showed great work around the breakdown and disrupted Neath which put us in good positions. I also thought our backs were tactically aware, using the ball and kicking at the right times. The new boys Billy McBryde, Ilan Rowlands and Joel Ringer settled in to the team as well.

“I said to Phil (John) this morning that if the forwards score he buys the milkshake on the way home and if the backs do then I buy, so it’s on him tonight. The good thing was that we showed some good tactical awareness as we are not always going to get through teams, so to kick to the corner and score from the set piece gives us something extra in attack”

RGC started their Principality Premiership campaign with a bonus point win against Neath.

The visitors began the game in attacking fashion with plenty of possession in the opening 10 minutes

It was no surprise when the All Blacks opened with a try from Aaron Bramwell. Conv from Ed Howley.

Minutes later they nearly went over again but a great tackle for Sam Jones pushed Howley into touch yards from the line.

It was the boot of McBryde that brought RGC their 1st points of the season with a penalty. RGC were on the ascendancy with Efan Jones picking up the play from the back of the pack and they began to build in attack.

The work around the breakdown was winning both ball and penalties which was adding to the pressure on the Neath defence.

Rhys Williams and Dion Jones combined to work some space in a tight midfield. The Gogs were having plenty possession but not making many yards with ball in hand.

RGC’s opening try came from the pack, after they rumbled over with Evan Yardley getting the touchdown.

Both sided were reduced to 14 men when Joe Simpson and Darren Hughes were shown yellow cards before McByde extended the lead with another penalty.

Iolo Evans made a great sidestep to open up some space before passing to Efan Jones and when the ball was worked wide Mei parry went in at the corner. McBryde hit the extras.

It was the visitors that ended the half stronger, and they took advantage of the pressure with a try. Aled Jenkins collected the cross field kick and scored to make close the gap to 18-12 at the break.

RGC came out and took the game away from Neath with a great try from Efan Jones. Centre Rhys Williams made the strong run before setting up the scrum-half under the posts. McBryde hit the conversion.

The Bonus Point try came from some patient phase play. RGC were camped on the Neath line, and when they finally moved the ball wide Iolo Evans ran in. Fly-half McBryde kicked the difficult 2 points.

As the clock reached the 60 minute mark RGC offloaded the bench, which understandably changed the pace of the game with some new faces getting used to the play. Ilan Rowlands began to make some good carries and it was another replacement who claimed try number 5. Bailey Rae burst down the wing and evaded a few tackles to cross the whitewash for his side’s final score.

Neath did pick up a try late on after they drove over the line and the referee awarded the penalty try on the 80th minute.

Updated 13:00 - 30 Aug 2019 by Gary Williams