Following report kindly supplied by RGC News and picture by Aled Jones.
Try scorer Iolo Evans said the win was down to “keeping the ball in the key areas in the 2nd half, and giving themselves the platform to build phases. We were far more disciplined after halftime and we controlled the game better. We knew Swansea would be a test, and it was the case in the 1st half but we gave them the ball and the opportunity to get back into the game”
Mei Parry was back in action and he knew the threat that Swansea would bring “We talked before the game about their driving maul, the physicality of the clean-out and around the breakdown and I think we stepped it up today. They have always caused us problems and this season we have drawn and beat them by 1 point here last time out, so today was a big improvement for us. The bonus point win gives us a platform to take to Aberavon in a few weeks when we go on the road in March”
It was RGC that started the game at a high tempo, when Tiaan Loots smashed his way over the line for the opening try on 3 minutes. Jacob Botica added the conversion. Dion Jones was next to score minutes later, as it looked as though RGC would race away with the game.
Credit to Swansea who took control of the game and began to play some good heads-up rugby. Adam Claypole grabbed their first try with a superb breakaway run with the conversion.
The game began to turn and Swansea were the team asking the questions before they took the lead with Jay Williams try and Owen Howe conversion.
It got worse for RGC when they collected try number 3 when the power of Mitch Walsh got over the line. Howe added the extra-points.
Swansea have always been a test for RGC over the years, and it was looking like another of those games with the Gogs letting Swansea back into the game. Credit to the All Whites as they took full advantage of RGC mistakes in a 15 minute period.
RGC needed to get back in the game and claim some ball, and they controlled the last 5 minutes of the half with some good multi-phase play. Tiaan Loots was makings some good inroads with trademark ball carrying. He was making hard yards and taking tacklers with him, which was setting up the play for more attacks.
Dion Jones sparked an attack with a great break, but was tackled when the overlap to Iolo Evans looked on.
Just before the break RGC picked up a try when Andrew Williams ran over the whitewash and the Botica conversion closed the gap to 2 points.
RGC were more positive at the start of the 2nd half, with some good carries from Curtis Reynolds and Robin Williams getting some gainline yards. Ianto Parri was also claiming the high balls with ease, and the winger was able to run the ball back with pace on a few occasions.
They were working the ball well and on the 50th minute the ball was spun to Iolo Evans for the winger to get the try. The boot of Botica hit the conversion.
That try seemed to settle both players and supporters, and the Gogs began to play some good attacking rugby which was epitomised by a fine Tom Hughes try. Conversion from Botica.
Howe had a penalty chance but it went wide from the halfway line.
Swansea managed an attack when Rhys Williams took his chance with an interception and ran the length of the field before Tom Hughes made a recovery tackle.
Efan Jones was making himself known to the Swansea players when he came on with a couple of big tackles. As much as RGC will be credited for the try-scoring performance the fact they nilled Swansea in the 2nd half should also be noted. RGC were able to play most of the rugby in the Swansea half and were not really tested in defence due to clever game management.
The referee sent RGC captain Naredydd Francis to the sin-bin for an infringement, but the All Whites couldn’t capitalise on the advantage.
Hughes again proved a good attacking outlet, when he collected a kick and then put his boot through the ball for a good kick and chase turning the Swansea attack onto the backfoot.
Botica edged the scoreboard on with a penalty before Andrew Williams showed great fitness to race over for his 2nd try. Extras from Botica.
On the 79th minute RGC reached the 50 point mark when winger Rhys Williams sprinted down the line to score, and the inform boot of Botica hit the conversion.
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