February 28, 2026 - 237 views
North Wales rugby side RGC are just one win away from silverware after a commanding 42–5 victory over Bridgend in the Super Rygbi Cymru Plate semi-final at Stadiwm Eirias.
In bright conditions on the North Wales coast, the Gogs made their intentions clear from the outset. Moving the ball at pace and attacking the wide channels, they pinned Bridgend back early through strong carries from Caio Parry and Delwyn Jones, while a solid scrum platform kept the visitors under constant pressure.
RGC were twice denied in the opening stages when Parry was forced into touch inches from the line, but the breakthrough eventually came after sustained pressure. Sam Williams powered over for the opening try, with Billy McBryde adding the conversion for a 7–0 lead.
The home side soon struck again. Sam Jones collected possession near halfway, cut inside sharply and raced clear to score beneath the posts, McBryde again converting to make it 14–0.
Bridgend threatened briefly before the break, but turnovers from Williams and Harper Chamberlain halted their momentum. RGC’s defensive discipline and composure proved the difference.
The third try came from sharp anticipation. Parry intercepted a wide pass on halfway and sprinted in untouched, with McBryde maintaining his perfect record from the tee.
RGC carried that momentum into the second half, Chamberlain crossing in the corner shortly after the restart. On his 150th appearance, Dion Jones thought he had added another, only for the effort to be ruled out.
There was no stopping the hosts for long. McBryde’s pass sent Parry over for his second try of the afternoon, stretching the lead to 35–0.
A yellow card for Williams briefly reduced RGC to 14 men and Bridgend capitalised through Tommy Morgan for their only score, but it was merely a consolation. Sam Jones crossed for his second try late on to complete a six-try performance, McBryde’s flawless kicking sealing the 42–5 win.
After the match, McBryde said he was proud of the side’s game management and defensive effort, calling it their best defensive display of the season and backing up the previous week’s performance at a crucial time.
RGC — originally established to give North Wales a pathway into elite Welsh rugby — have grown into a key force in the semi-professional game. Based at Stadiwm Eirias and drawing talent from across the region, the club continues to develop local players while competing strongly in the Welsh domestic structure.
They now face Swansea in the SRC Plate Final next Saturday, with the chance to lift silverware and underline the progress being made by rugby in North Wales.
