October 31, 2026 - 209 views
RGC produced a powerful performance to maintain their unbeaten home record, beating Pontypool 49-19 on an emotional afternoon as players, staff and supporters came together to remember Jack Davies.
The Gogs made a flying start, with Daf Thirsk taking a pass at pace and powering towards the line before Gareth Parry crossed for the opening try. Billy McBryde added the conversion.
RGC went close to extending their lead following another well-worked lineout, but Osian Burt was tackled into touch.
Pontypool began to build momentum through a spell of possession and territory, moving the ball wide after a series of phases. RGC's defence stood firm, however, including a huge effort to halt a driving maul close to their own line.
That defensive resilience soon turned into attack. Tudur Jones managed to clear a loose ball from his own line before collecting possession, and moments later RGC were on the front foot. A cross-field kick found Ieuan Cornelius, who offloaded to Dion Jones. The winger raced in from halfway, with McBryde converting.
Pontypool continued to press but were again denied by some determined RGC defending. The hosts then showed their counter-attacking quality once more when Delwyn Jones ran onto a ball over the top before Sam Jones collected the pass and raced in from distance for their third try.
McBryde added the conversion, before Delwyn Jones turned from provider to scorer, crashing over for the bonus-point try to put RGC firmly in control.
The hosts' ability to turn defence into attack was repeatedly causing problems for Pontypool, although the visitors eventually found a way over before half-time. Ben Williams emerged from a pile of bodies to claim the try, with Kerian Meek adding the conversion.
RGC went into the break having been clinical in attack and physical in defence, and they continued where they had left off after the restart.
Delwyn Jones and Thirsk both carried strongly as the Gogs built early momentum, before Burt burst through a series of tackles to score RGC's fifth try. McBryde added the extras.
With RGC controlling possession and the breakdown, Tudur Jones then produced one of the moments of the afternoon. Finding space from seemingly nowhere, he accelerated away to score the sixth try, capping a Player of the Match performance. McBryde landed his most difficult conversion of the game.
Pontypool responded quickly when winger Marcus Jones crossed in the corner, with Meek converting, but RGC refused to ease up.
Sam Jones completed the home side's scoring when he powered through a tackle and carried his opponent over the line for the seventh try. McBryde again added the conversion.
Pontypool had the final say when Jack Shephard gathered a kick which had rebounded off an RGC player and ran in to score, but the result was already beyond doubt.
The final score was 49-19, as RGC extended their unbeaten home run with a performance full of defensive resilience and attacking quality.
On a day dedicated to remembering Jack Davies, the Gogs delivered a display full of heart and commitment in front of their home supporters.
