14 Oct 2023
RGC 34 Swansea 29
Saturday 14th October 2023.
If rugby is a game of numbers then the opening 40 minutes was 5 tries for the Gogs, including a brace for Dafydd Williams, a red card, 1 try conceded in a half of scintillating rugby. The most important stat was a 1st Bonus Point win of the season.
RGC scored in the opening minute when winger Daf Williams finished with pace and Sam Earl Jones converted.
All Whites answered back with a Dan Edwards penalty before Daf Williams grabbed his second score with another turn of pace to touch down. Sam Earl Jones added the extras.
It was a superb opening with quick hands and fast running, and the pitch was being opened up.
They went close again when Daf Williams took a tap and go but after a great run he kicked ahead but the bounce of the ball found a Swansea hand.
Sam Earl-Jones then hit a massive penalty from halfway straight through the posts.
Try number 3 followed shortly when Harri Hughes ran a great line to collect the pass and crash over.
22 minutes on the clock and RGC were reduced to 14 men after Sam Stoddard was sent to the stands for a dangerous tackle.
With the man advantage Swansea got a try on the board from winger Matthew Jenkins.
You might have expected a momentum shift but credit to RGC as it was them that increased the lead with tries from Jordon Liney and Huw Taylor.
In final minutes of the half Swansea pressed and pushed to the RGC line, and the Gogs tackled and chased to try and keep them out. The pressure told and the line was breached by hookier Owen Thomas and converted by Edwards to make it 34-15 at the break.
Swansea were quick to keep the scoreboard ticking when winger Matthew Jenkins crossed in the corner for his 2nd try and the conversion from Edwards closed the gap to 12 points.
The pace of the game slowed, and for the first time in the afternoon the play was in the middle of the field.
Swansea were looking to create chances out wide with the extra man, but RGC were showing some good discipline around the breakdown.
Numbers wise it was 14 men on both sides when Tom Sloane was yellow carded for Swansea.
All Whites were all attack and building pressure again on the RGC line, but were being kept out.
The bodies were being put under the ball, in the tackle and waves of attacks soaked up as Swansea camped on the RGC line.
Ethan Fackrell’s work rate around the breakdown was high again, and he one a crucial penalty when Swansea were on the lookout for another try.
The fitness work of RGC has to be credited and it didn’t look like they were a man down at any point.
RGC regained the possession and played the game in Swansea’s half, the boot of Harri Ford was working well pinning Swansea back.
Dan Owen made a crucial interception when it looked like the All-Whites would break through.
Swansea kept coming and RGC couldn’t keep hold of the ball long enough to ease pressure.
It was a nervous final minutes but in the end, the start of the game and the early tries gave the Gogs the edge and the BP win.
Head Coach Ceri Jones was delighted in his teams work rate “It was an unbelievable start from us and showed when we get our attack right then we are dangerous. The red card obviously changed the game with Sam Stoddard being unfortunate. He was committed to the tackle and the player jumped but player welfare is key.
2nd half was a nervous one for me and the crowd, but we talked about the workrate and that extra 10% and that makes a difference. Definitely we worked so hard and they had a spell in the 2nd half where we kept them out.
The younger boys in the squad have been learning quickly and today they will have learnt how to win and dig in the get the win.
We can take that into Llandovery next week, another tough one but hopefully look to build momentum”
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