RGC 29 Carmarthen Quins 24
Saturday 19th October 2024
RGC made it 3 home wins in a row at Stadiwm CSM in front of 926 supporters.
It was a bright start from RGC in the autumn sunshine, as they worked their way to the Quins line, but couldn’t punch through although they did get the 1st points when McBryde fired a penalty over.
Without the ball the Gogs were showing good intent, stifling Carmarthen who couldn’t get the ball away before the tacklers arrived.
It was 10 nil when Tal Taylor got hold of the ball, crashed through the visitor's tackles and scored. McBryde’s boot added the extras.
The visitors needed to answer back, and when they went for the catch can drive line out they were rewarded with the try, with Lewis Morgan diving over from the back of the pack. Ifan Davies converted
It was end-to-end stuff, and from the restart, the Gogs went straight up the field to the line, but again the Carmarthen Quins defence got the bodies in the way.
As the clock hit 25 mins the pace dropped, and Quins began to have more ball in hand as well as territory which spelt danger for RGC
The visitor's fly-half Davies created a gap with a clever dummy and step, to run in for the try and he converted to give his side a 4-point lead
McBryde had the chance to shorten the score but his penalty attempt dropped just short of the posts.
Quins backline worked a great passing move with the centres combining, but credit to RGC who scrambled in defence and at the breakdown won the ball back.
Tal Taylor was a threat again with ball in hand as he powered to halfway with 3 tacklers with him.
As half-time approached it was a fairly scrappy end to the 40 minutes, with both sides making errors with the boot which stalled any momentum that the game had in that opening 30 minutes.
The 2nd half started with the visitors testing the RGC defence, and they looked more dangerous with ball in hand.
When RGC had the ball they weren’t making inroads, and Quins were able deal with the Gogs attack.
McBryde went for the posts but again the kick wasn’t on target.
Centre Afon Bagshaw looked to add the spark into his side's attack and broke a couple of times to bring the crowd to life.
That crowd did spring to life when they went over in the corner from close range from McBryde and he converts
Pace and attacking intent came back into the Gogs game and a break down the left wing created a 2 on 1, which they took advantage of when Sam Stoddard playing at full-back collected and scored. McBryde found his aim with a difficult conversion and it was now a 10 point swing in RGC’s favour.
Similar to the 1st half Quins looked to their pack to gain that attacking platform, but the trend from strong RGC tackling and pressure leading to knock-ons continued as well.
The boot of McBryde was testing the Carmarthen Quins backline, and a kick to the line was nearly touched down by the chasing hand of Afon Bagshaw
RGCs best move of the game got RGC to the line when Delwyn Jones set up Afon Bagshaw running a strong line but was tackled as the whitewash was in sight. Some calm heads and good hands got the attack back and Delwyn Jones crossed. McBryde hit the extras.
It was never a comfortable lead, and Quins went up the pitch and grabbed a try in the corner and got the conversion to keep them in the game, and the Stadiwm CSM crowd on edge.
Quins did manage to put a dent in the scoreboard with a penalty with the clock on red, but RGC ended the game with the win and 3 home wins in a row at home.
Director of Rugby Josh Leach “Good to be back at home, infront of a crowd that has been good in numbers this season, and pleased to get our 3rd home win on the bounce.
I thought we started well, fell off in the middle and then picked it up, I am pleased with the defensive performance but we just gave the ball away far too easily. At halftime, we simplified things a bit and it worked well as it showed with the tries we created.
We knew Quins would come at us in the last 5 minutes, but we dealt with that pretty well to see out the game.
Selection wise we had to make a few late changes, with Sam Earl-Jones being ill so Sam Stoddard switched to full-back and Harri Hughes started, and we adapted well. Pedr Jones also put in a performance today.”