RGC 1404 v Cross Keys
RGC 1404 welcomed Principality Premiership Rugby to Parc Eirias in the form of Cross Keys, who are currently lying at 10th in the table.
Almost immediately the home side scored a penalty through the boot of Michael Raikes; though RGC couldn’t hold onto the lead for long as Cross Keys scored an individual try through David Langdon, converted by Gareth David, who soon added another 3 points.
Knowing they had to get back into the game, RGC made several surges into the Cross Keys half, with a powerful run from Will Bown yielding a penalty for RGC. This soon descended into chaos as several brawls broke out, with both XV’s involved.
The result was a yellow card to each team, with Jebb Sinclair sin-binned for the home side and Rob Nash for Cross Keys. Play continued, with Raikes scoring a resulting penalty to bring RGC to within a try of the opposition.
Trademark solid defence from RGC kept Cross Keys away from the try line and with both sides returned to a full complement of players the game continued in its fast-flow. RGC threw themselves right back into the game, with a sharp break from captain Sean White leading to a penalty from Raikes to leave the hosts trailing by just one point. After some fantastic build up work and quick hands from RGC, winger James Farrell scored a well-worked try, converted by Raikes to take the home side into a 16-10 lead.
Cross Keys soon chipped away at this however, as David kicked a penalty to narrow the lead to 3. Some good defensive work from RGC’s captain was cut short by a trip from the opposing scrumhalf which flared tempers once again, and fortunately for the referee half time was blown swiftly afterwards.
The second half was a mostly static affair for the opening minutes, broken only by a difficult penalty kick from Raikes which drifted just wide of the uprights.
After more determined defence RGC won a penalty to clear their line although Cross Keys hit back with some well constructed phases to reach the RGC line, who held up the try, and completely dominated the resulting scrum to turn the ball over, which White managed to clear.
Cross Keys had several chances and breaks which were duly ground to a halt by typical ferocious RGC defence, which once again was a key component in their win.
An excellent result again for RGC, proving that they can hack it in the Premiership, which means exciting days ahead for rugby fans in North Wales.
Clive Griffiths, RGC 1404 Head Coach, said:“I know that neither myself nor the Cross Keys coach were too happy with some of the attacking play, but I think that the 0-0 score line in the second half showed the commitment by both teams.”
RGC 1404’s final game of the season is this Saturday, April 24 against Newport Gwent Dragons XV at Parc Eirias, Colwyn Bay.