Following report kindly supplied by RGC News and picture by Tony Bale Sports Photography.
Ebbw Vale scored 13 points in the 2nd half to claim victory at Stadiwm Zip World in which RGC failed to score in the 2nd half. Both sided headed into the game unbeaten, but it was the Steelmen who came away with the unbeaten run intact.
It was the Steelmen who opened the scoring with an early penalty before RGC found some rhythm in the backline. Andrew Williams picked up the RGC try after the maul pushed the visitors back. McBryde hit the extras.
RGC were making some strong runs with some direct lines, with Dan Owen surging forward. When the Gogs had ball in hand they were using it well, testing Ebbw Vale.
As the game reached the halfway point both sides were battling in the midfield trying to find the advantage in the scrum. RGC were dealing with the Ebbw Vale attacks with some good exit ball plays, clearing the danger making sure the game wasn’t played in their half.
Iolo Evans made a couple of big tackles that could be felt in the stands. Centre Rhys Williams was a fingertip away from an interception but knocked on.
The visitors made it a one point game with a successful penalty, as the game then became messy in midfield. Both sides traded knock-on, interceptions in a frantic spell of rugby.
RGC took control of the game in the later stages of the half, with some patient phases to move the ball wide. Hooker George Roberts was knocked into touch with the try line in sight
When RGC played the heads up rugby, they looked clinical and it that was the case when Iolo Evans finished a great backline move with the touchdown much to the delight of the RGC crowd.
The first half closed with RGC looking the more dominant, and when the made the gain line breaks they made some good yards with ball in hand.
Ebbw Vale started the second half similar the first with an early penalty and RGC failed to get going.
McBryde had a chance with the penalty kick from halfway but the ball dropped short of posts. Winger Iolo Evans was forced out the game after he made another big tackle, and the game started to slip away from the Gogs.
Ebbw Vale began to take control of the game and tied the game with a penalty.
The scrum started to work in the visitor’s advantage, and after a couple of penalties the Steelmen were awarded a penalty try to claim the lead.
RGC had played with pace and good hands in the first half, but in the second half the pace was slower and broken up which played into the visitors hands.
The turnover and penalty count edged up for Ebbw Vale, as RGC failed to build any momentum in the half. The game was ebbing away from RGC, and as the clock ticked down RGC failed to claim any foothold in the game. For whatever reason they didn't hit the levels of the firts half, which cost them the game.
There was only a couple of plays in which RGC attacked with pace, and sadly for the home side it was too little too late, and ended with a loose pass and a turnover for Ebbw Vale.
Post Match Thoughts
Head Coach Mark Jones gave an honest opinion in his team’s performance. "Physiologically we didn’t come out after the break. As a team we can’t compete if we drop 20/30% off our level. We are not good enough as a team to under perform, as like all teams then susceptible to problems and we get exposed.
We have a chance to address the issues next week at Pontypridd, but our attitude needs be better. It doesn’t get any easier with the upcoming with games against last year’s 3rdplace team, winners, 2nd place and cup finalists.
If we don’t turn up then we will find it difficult but is no use playing for 40 minutes, we need to compete for 80 minutes.
The players will need to learn quickly and I also need to learn about the players character if we are to improve...and improve quickly."
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