Swansea 19 RGC 47
Saturday 12th November 2022
RGC claimed an impressive bonus point win on the road, running in 7 tries at Swansea.
RGC weathered a strong Swansea start, as the home side were camped in the Gogs half for the first 5 minutes.
The All Whites hit the post with a penalty, and then looked for the try and pushed hard to the line before some great defence work from RGC kept them out.
Crucially RGC claimed some ball and yards with attacking rugby, and were rewarded when Dion Jones finished a great move to touchdown and convert his own try.
A couple more tries followed as RGC found gaps in the Swansea defence with Brodie Coghlan and Dan Owen claiming the tries and Dion Jones successful with the boot.
Swansea full-back Rees made a great break to open up the field at a point of the half when it was a flat tempo. Again the homeside had the ball and phase play in RGC’s half but struggled to make much impact against a competitive Gogs defence.
When RGC had possession they made the most of it, breaking fast and finding plenty of space.
The All Whites did get on the board when Jenkins crossed in the corner but from the restart RGC claimed the bonus point when Dan Owen finished a great move to grab his 2nd try of the game. Dion Jones hit the extras on the halftime whistle.
The 2nd half opened with another similar try, RGC finding space and taking advantage with Fackrell going in for the score.
It was try number when Delwyn Jones got his hands on the ball and bounced a tackle to touchdown, before Dion Jones nailed the conversion.
The scoreboard was ticking over, as from the restart the homeside went up the field and scored a try from replacement Gareth J Rees.
Swansea put some pressure on the RGC line, and looked to get the attacking maul over the line but again RGC had all the answers and nullified the attack.
It felt at times RGC could have picked up the tempo and pace of the game more, as when they did they ripped open the Swansea defence.
Delwyn Jones made a great recovery chase to stop a Swansea attack when they had a 2-on-1 overlap but the centre did well to get a hand on the ball.
The game was beginning to get stretched, especially as the homeside chased at least a try bonus point.
Captain Cal Bowden grabbed his side's 3rd try after a good passing move and Popham grabbed the conversion.
RGC were then down to 14 men when Christian Hone was yellow carded with 8 minutes left of the game.
Swansea again looked to use the maul, and RGC were then down to 12 when Bryn Jones and Matt Buchanan were also yellow-carded but the All Whites couldn’t get over the line.
Even with 3 men down, it was RGC that finished with a try, when Henry Maitland-Davies picked up the ball on halfway and raced away for the score, before Dion Jones again hit the conversion the claim the bonus point win.