November 08, 2025 - 253 views
Bridgend 26 RGC 54
SRC Round 8, Saturday 8th November 2025
RGC moved to 7th place in the Super Rygbi Cymru league with an emphatic 6 try/6-point win at Bridgend.
The visitors set the tempo, with quick ball and winning collisions - looking to play to the edges - wingers Caio Parry and Osian Llewelyn looking lively.
The boot of Billy McBryde kick-started the scoreboard with a penalty after 9 minutes, and that became a major part of the 80 minutes.
Centre Gethin O'Callaghan broke a few tackles at times and made good yards with the ball in hand, getting them into the homesided 22.
It was a decent spell of possession, with good composure from Connor Dever at scrum-half, orchestrating the phases.
The lineout was firing, which enabled them to shift the ball left, before Caio Parry's pace and footwork got him to the line. McBryde added the conversion.
From the restart, Bridgend pinned RGC back and looked for that try. The referee’s whistle was in Bridgends' favour, and the penalties and scrums built the pressure.
RGC defended well and managed to exit with a penalty, much to the frustration of the home crowd, who were beginning to get on top of the players.
After a couple of opportunities, Bridgend managed to get over when Lloyd Wilkins scored in the corner. Brown converted.
In previous games, this would have seen the homeside build on that score, build for another try but it was the Gogs that got on the front foot attack from the restart.
Centre Delwyn Jones showed his strength when he took the tackler and ball over the try line. The boot of McBryde was on target again.
RGC knew if they kept at Bridgend, then they would continue to force the homesides' mistakes.
The momentum shifted back in the Gogs' favour, when a superb touchfinder 55/22 kick from Dion Jones turned the screw on the homeside again, at a crucial point of the game. Knocking the wind out of the Bridgend players.
They then struck a blow from the lineout, the driving maul formed, and it powered to the line before Jac Petch-Jones popped up from the base with the ball and the score. McBryde adds the extras.
Intent after the break was still there, and they were fully rewarded with the bonus point try by Celt Ffransis-Roberts. McBryde knocked over the 2 points.
Bridgend did work themselves into a couple of good positions, but errors were again proving costly at those important times.
James Brown was next to drive a hole through the home side's defence, setting up another attacking platform, and RGC’s control around the breakdown was high all game.
A penalty from McBryde extended his side's lead, as they opted for points to secure the extra BP try.
Out of nowhere, Bridgend got the 2nd try, when Macauley Rowley got his hands on an intercept and ran in from halfway. Fraser Jones converted.
Again, McBryde kept the scoreboard ticking with another penalty.
RGC fly-half McBryde claimed a try of his own when he opted to kick over the top, and it bounced for him to collect and score. He added to his tally with the extra 2 points.
Penalty number 4 came soon after from McBryde again, as he never looked like missing a kick all afternoon.
Bridgend did come away with the bonus point with 2 tries in quick succession Rhydian Greenhall and Chris Williams, with a Lloyd Wilkins conversion.
With the clock on 80 minutes, RGC continued to press and claimed try number 6 from a powerful pack, and James Brown clinched the score. The impeccable boot of McBryde with the last kick conversion.
Here’s a tightened up / more polished version — still his voice, just cleaner and punchier:
Josh Leach – Performance Manager said: “I thought we started really well. We controlled the tempo and the territory in that opening 20 minutes, and the big difference compared to recent weeks was that we actually took our chances – and we spoiled a few of Bridgend’s as well.
“We pinched a couple of lineouts at key moments and managed our way out of some tricky patches. It’s just a shame we let them in for a couple late scores at the end.
“Next week it’s Ebbw Vale – top of the league and a tough challenge. We’ll need to be right at the top of our game and deliver a full performance.”
RGC will look to build some momentum next week as they face Ebbw Vale at Stadiwm Eirias, 2.30pm. Saturday 15th November.
