Much like RGC’s previous visit to Pontypool Park, heavy rain dominated proceedings and ensured conditions were far from ideal for expansive rugby. This time, however, it was the home side who emerged victorious.

Pontypool made early use of a pragmatic kicking game and aggressively challenged the breakdown to gain front-foot territory. Their approach paid off when Harri Ford opened the scoring with a penalty.

Despite the conditions, RGC attempted to move the ball through the hands and were rewarded with a penalty of their own after sustained pressure inside the Pontypool 22. Kicking into the wind, Dion Jones levelled the scores at 3–3.

RGC were forced to defend for long periods as Pontypool’s pack applied pressure, but the visitors showed resilience, winning turnover ball and penalties close to their own line. Both sides relied heavily on kicking as the rain continued to fall on an already heavy pitch.

The visitors struggled at the lineout, with Pontypool disrupting the set-piece and repeatedly regaining possession or territory at key moments. Errors crept into both sides’ games during a scrappy opening quarter, with kicks going out on the full, passes failing to stick, and the scrum battle favouring the home side.

On his 50th appearance, Morgan Allan produced a moment of brilliance, collecting a kick at halfway, chipping ahead, regathering, and winning the race to the try line.

Pontypool responded with sustained pressure near the RGC line, but the Gogs’ defence held firm once again to force a penalty and relieve the danger. That resistance was eventually broken when Dragons hooker Sam Scarfe powered over from close range, with former RGC fly-half Ford adding the conversion.

RGC invited further pressure when another kick went out on the full, much to the delight of the home crowd, and matters worsened when Tudur Jones was shown a yellow card for an intentional knock-on. Pontypool kept the game in the visitors’ half as half-time approached, but RGC dug deep defensively, with their scrum holding firm to keep the deficit at 12 points heading into the break.

After the restart, Pontypool continued to ask questions, building phases towards the RGC line, only to knock on as the ball was moved wide. The pressure eventually told when Ford extended the lead with a penalty on 51 minutes.

RGC struggled to escape their own half, with Pontypool repeatedly running the ball back from kicks and launching attacks from lineouts. A quick tap brought the home side close again, but RGC won a crucial turnover and cleared their lines.

With a 15-point cushion, Pontypool looked to offload more freely. On the hour mark, Dion Jones produced a booming clearance to take play into the home half, and RGC began to find some momentum.

Morgan Allan was sent to tbe sin bin for 10 minutes, and RGC kept on winning the collisions and making yards. For the first time in the half the went multi-phase and made it to the line before Gareth Parry crashed over for a well-worked try, with McBryde converting to give the visitors renewed hope.

The closing stages were fractious. Captain Scott Matthews was shown a red card following a confrontation at halfway, giving RGC a numerical advantage. They searched for space out wide, but Pontypool’s defensive line speed increased, and the visitors were unable to find a decisive gap.

Forced passes at key moments failed to stick, allowing Pontypool to regain territory and control. In the dying moments, Harri Ford sealed the contest with a penalty that split the posts and secured the win for the home side.

Next up Cardiff at Stadiwm Eirias on Saturday 31st January. 2.30pm