Losing bonus point picked up by RGC at Merthyr

RGC 24

A SPIRITED fightback earned RGC a bonus point during a testing weekend trip.

Starting the match on the front foot, hosts Merthyr raced into a 14-point lead after only 12 minutes.

Adam Thomas and Craig Locke grabbed the tries, with the boot of Matthew Jarvis on target with one conversion.

RGC were looking to play with tempo, but they were guilty of forcing the pass at times.

Dan Owen did spark an attack with a 40-yard break with Efan Jones in support.

Jack Perkins was yellow carded in stopping the run and with Merthyr down to 14 men, RGC took full advantage.

They created the space to set up Delwyn Jones to score a try and Billy McBryde duly added the extras.

Crucially, the Ironmen were able to regain the ball from the restart and they won a penalty.

They took the decision to go for the catch and drive and this paid off when Craig Locke went over for his second try, with Jarvis converting.

RGC were trying to find some space in an attempt to haul themselves back into the contest, but the Ironmen defended well.

Afon Bagshaw went close after his grubber kick bounced to the line, but the passage of play ended with a knock-on.

Merthyr claimed their bonus point try in the 42nd minute when Jack Perkins crossed the whitewash and Jarvis again hit over the conversion.

The home pack was putting the squeeze on the RGC forwards and as a result, the pace of the game dropped.

Credit should go to RGC, though, who regained their composure and made some inroads into the Merthyr 22.

They worked some good ball with Bagshaw carrying well and the driving maul began to cause some problems for their opponents.

Two quick tries got them back into the game.

Replacements Jordan Jones and Mei Parry touched down, with McBryde kicking the extras.

Crucially, Merthyr hit a penalty to extend the lead to 31-24, which took the game away from the visitors.

Pinches was yellow carded for Merthyr with eight minutes remaining, but RGC were unable to get over the line for the vital score and they came away with a losing bonus point.