RGC 61 Pontypool 42
Saturday 28th September 2024
In a game with 103 points, 7 RGC tries and a Gogs win – the 933 Stadiwm CSM crowd got their money’s worth with a 6-point win.
The points were on the board early when Pontypool struck with a close-range try and converted.
As soon the scoreboard was updated RGC went up the field and Dion Jones went over in the corner, and it was level with a Billy McBryde conversion. Similar to last week, the Gogs ability to get back into the game was key.
It was a fast and loose game, with Sam William and Dion Jones both creating breaks with good running through the middle of the field.
Pooler regained the lead when winger Marcus Jones got hold of the ball, kicked ahead into space and had the pace plus the bounce of the ball to collect and touch down. Conversion again from Kieran Meek
In now typical fashion, from the restart RGC got another try when Sam Stoddard grabbed it. McBryde nailed the extras
15 mins in and RGC get the lead with try number 3. The ball shifted right to left and Dion Jones's looping pass found Sam Stoddard in the corner for his 2nd try of the game.
RGC pack stood strong, with a massive scrum under the sticks and RGC win the penalty and McBryde split the posts and extended the lead.
The boot of McBryde keeps the scoreboard moving in the right direction with another penalty.
As much as it was all about the attacking intent from the Gogs, as the half closed the work and discipline around the breakdown was on point, which nullified any momentum Ponty tried to build.
Pooler did get the next score when the line out went long and they found space to go over, and with the Meek conversion it was a 4-point game
Scrum-wise it was RGC that was winning the arm wrestle and the penalties from it.
A few handling errors at key times were costing RGC, as the opportunity to create an opening was on for them.
Rhys Tudor again caused havoc with the ball in hand and ran hard. That endeavour set up his side to attack from the yards out, composure and good hands gave Ilan Evans the chance to power over for the bonus point try. Extras from McBryde
The tries kept coming and it was the 5th as halftime approached when the ball was shifted wide and winger Tudor dived in at the corner before McBryde was on target again with the conversion with a total of 60 points combined in the 40 minutes with RGC leading 39-21
The opening minute McBryde penalty was on target,
Sam Williams was next to go over when he picked up the ball and raced into the corner and it was 47-21.
Credit to the visitors who kept on pushing and were rewarded with 2 tries and 2 Meek conversions.
RGC were pushing for the 7th try, and nearly caught on the break when a Sam Earl-Jones pass was intercepted but Meek was chased down by Bagshaw as he ran down the field.
Minutes later Bagshaw again was getting the pats on the back from his players when he chased down a McBryde clearance and put the Ponty player into touch.
Pooler were having more of the possession and playing the game in the Gogs half, which was adding to the pressure with it being a 12-point game.
The pack were looking to power over , as RGC put everything into stopping them on the line but they moved ball wide and scored again. Meek Conversion.
RGC needed to regain some of the game's narrative, and from the restart, Pooler were penalised for holding on. McBryde took advantage and claimed another penalty.
Momentum turned when Sam Earl-Jones stepped up in his own half from in his own half smashed a penalty over.
Minutes later it was McBryde to go from distance and get another 3 points after Pontypool were penalised at the breakdown.
RGC were reduced to 14 men when Bagshaw was yellow carded and Pooler looked to take advantage as they camped on the RGC line but it was RGC who ended the game with try number 7. Ethan Fackrell went for a show and go, created the space before McBryde hit a Crossfield kick into the arms of Sam Stoddard who claimed his hat trick try.
Director of Rugby Josh Leach
“What a manic game of rugby, 60 points in the first half, 103 points overall.
We can be disappointed with some of the tries we let in, but we showed a great response when we got back in the game after there early scores.
We went in at halftime in a strong position, came out and played well but then settled back and let then in again.
As a group, we showed good discipline and resilience to dig in and make sure we pushed on. Ethan and Celt both came on and made some important tackles at key times in that 2nd half.
We now look to next week, and the focus is on our first away trip, and facing Pontypool in the return game which doesn’t normally happen so quickly in the league”
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