Wizards Claim Win

Aberavon Wizards 23  RGC 17
Saturday 17th February 2024

In wet conditions both sides struggled to build many phases, with handling errors making plenty of appearances.  It wasn’t a game for the rugby purists.
RGC will be disappointed with the error count, line-outs failing, scrum penalties and kicks going out on the full.  All costing possession and good territory.

This gave the homeside some easy ball, and they didn’t have to work that hard to get it.

The Wizards took the lead with a penalty from James Davies before they extended the lead with a try from full-back Scott Delnevo.

Their 2nd try came after what looked like an earlier knock-on in the build-up before Ben Gregory went over with Davies adding the extras.
RGC got some points on the board with Sam Earl-Jones hitting the penalty through the posts.

Minutes later Dion Jones hit a superb kick and chase to push the homeside back, and when they cleared Afon Bagshaw collected to set up Dafydd Williams to score in the corner. Earl-Jones converted.

Aberavon finished the half looking to push for a 3rd try, but again Afan Bagshaw coped well to collect a kick under pressure on the halftime whistle.
It was a bright start from RGC in the 2nd half and after a Wizards clearance was charged down, Bagshaw scrambled to the line but the referee gave a knock on as he touched down.

They built some good phases and edged to the tryline but couldn’t find that break in the defence

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Aberavon were on the back foot for the first time in the game, just clearing the ball as the Gogs tried to turn the screw, searching for that try.

The tide turned and the Wizards came back in attack with a break from scrum-half Scott Whitlock, but Bagshaw who covered every blade of grass today, got the turnover but then Jordon Liney couldn’t hold onto the ball.

It was the Wizards that claimed the next score when hooker Cameron Lewis powered over from close range.

The errors crept back into the RGC game, and the momentum shifted back towards the homeside. 

Those mistakes seemed to come quickly and put pressure on the RGC defence.

Out of nothing RGC got the 2nd try when Sam Earl-Jones intercepted on his own line before racing down the field , and kicked ahead with the chasing Dion Jones touching down  Earl-Jones converted.

The scoreboard ticked back in Aberavon’s favour when Davies smashed a penalty over.

RGC again caused some panic in the Wizard's defence when Sam Earl Jones found space and attacked.

The Gogs line-out was misfiring at key times, as they needed to build some attacks.  The referee pulled one back for not being straight, much to the frustration and confusion from the stands.

RGC finished the game looking for that try, couldn’t make inroads into the Wizard's half as the clock ran down, and the losing bonus point was they left with.