RGC 1404 40 Bargoed 7
Saturday October 27, Stadiwm Zip World, Colwyn Bay
Principality Premiership
Bargoed travelled north in confident mood, after two recent and well-deserved victories, but were ultimately undone in a number of areas.
In dry, but cold, conditions RGC immediately went on the attack with a series of rucks inside the Bargoed 22. Within two minutes of kick-off, prop Joe Simpson got the first score with a pick and drive try from short range, which was then converted by Billy McBride.
Bargoed tried to bounce back but found themselves 12-0 down after just nine minutes when some poor defence from them and a kick and chase saw RGC centre Tom Hughes score.
The Bulls managed to penetrate the RGC defence, but too many errors saw them lose the ball. Bargoed were again made to pay after 17 minutes as ill-discipline allowed RGC to kick into the Bargoed 22 and drive the line-out. Another penalty was conceded by Bargoed and RGC kept it tight and rumbled over with prop Sam Wainwright picking up the score. McBride converted to make it 19-0.
Bargoed’s scrum had been one of the positives but just before half time they were under pressure and conceded a scrum penalty.
RGC kicked to touch, drove the line-out which the Bulls defended, and after intense pressure and a number of phases, Bargoed conceded yet another penalty. RGC kept the pressure on with another kick and driving line-out and when Louis Blacker infringed, the referee awarded a penalty try and issued a yellow card to Blacker. The conversion by McBride was successful and Bargoed had a mountain to climb at 26-0 down as the whistle went for half-time.
The second half saw RGC increase their lead as a combination of scrum pressure, poor defence and poor kicking allowed them to build pressure for Bryn Jones to crash over for their fifth try, which was converted by McBride for a 33-0 lead.
Bargoed made a few changes which seemed to have an impact and it was good to see Bryce Morgan returning after a number of months out with injury. A 20-minute period saw Bargoed maintain pressure on RGC and got their rewards when replacement outside half Callum Jones scooted over and converted to make it 33-7 with ten minutes to go.
There was no comeback though as RGC as Harri Evans split the Bargoed defence and McBride converted the try to make the final score 40-7.
This was a disappointing performance particularly after the good form of the last couple of weeks.
The poor start didn’t help and the coaching staff will be concerned about a number of facets of the game. In particular they’ll look to review their effectiveness in the contact area, defensive errors and lack of accuracy in attacking situations.
Plenty to work on but good news that there are some players returning from injury to create some more competition in the squad, as a key period of the season begins with Friday night games against Bridgend, Neath and Swansea.
Bargoed now have a break, and a chance to reflect and build for the next challenge, and the next game will see them entertaining Bridgend in a Friday night fixture at Bargoed Park on November 9.
Report provided by Bargoed RFC.