April 19, 2025 - 364 views
RGC 59 Aberavon 38
Saturday 19th April 2025
RGC headed into the game knowing a win and a bonus point was the minimum needed to claim a home play-off match next week, and they grabbed 6 points in an emphatic 9-try victory.
The opening minutes were a whirlwind with RGC going ahead with Caio Parry in the corner and Billy McBryde adding the extras. The visitors struck back with Sam Whitlock, with Ed Dunford hitting the conversion.
Wizards got themselves ahead with a try from Brad Roderick before the boot of Dunford split the posts.
The Gogs made some good inroads into Aberavon’s 22, going through the phases, and some good carries, including Pedr Jones before the ball was looped out to the wing, Rhys Tudor stepped inside to score. McBryde missed the conversion.
From the restart the Wizards found themselves back down the field, and shifted the ball to the left where Corey Lewis-Jenkins was in acres of space to collect the pass and run in.
The game was end-to-end with all the play in each other’s 22, and RGC were camped on the Aberavon line, inches away from the tryline before McBryde powered through the defence to score.
Next up Dion Jones kicked ahead, and the visitors' defence had to scramble and clear. The momentum was with the Gogs.
The bonus point try arrived just before halftime, after Bagshaw and Pedr Jones both made some yards with ball in hand, and then a clever kick from McBryde over the top bounced up and the flyhalf collected and scored plus he added the conversion.
From the restart, RGC were on the attack with a Dion Jones break, as he kicked ahead, Bagshaw and Caio Parry showed good football skills to kick on - before Caio Parry grabs the ball and scores.
The Gogs pack were showing good control, with the scrum in dominance. It wasn’t long before Pedr Jones powered over. McBryde converted.
They continued to play on the front foot, and Sam Williams was next to cross the whitewash with McBryde again on point with the boot.
Cory Lewis-Jenkins was the danger man, with the pace down the wing to run down the line to touch down.
The power of Pedr Jones was in full force as he crashed over for his 2nd try. McBryde extras. Gareth Parry was next to run in for try number 9, again with McBryde with the conversion.
For the 80 minutes, RGC were clinical when the created an opportunity and took advantage of every chance on offer. The crowd again witnessed plenty of tries and the scoreboard went into overdrive.
The tries kept coming with a Lewis Jenkins interception for his hatrick and Charlie Thomas conversion.
Aberavon were still pushing for a score and moving the ball wide on every chance they had, and RGC knew the points difference was crucial, so when they kicked to the line, Bagshaw and Llewylen dug deep to track back and get their hands on the ball.
In recent games, RGC have not put in a 80-minute performance, which has proved costly but today to a man they delivered and can take this momentum into next week.
With 9 tries, 2 bonus points, we finished in 8th place to set up a home game against Carmarthen Quins next Saturday. 2.30pm.
