Team: RGC
Position: 7th
After a mid-table finish last season, RGC were hoping to end up in the top six this year. With new Head Coach Matt Silva’s time in charge cut short due to personal reasons, Josh Leach, Latham Tawhai and Saul Nelson stepped up. They fell just short of their target, ending up a point behind last year’s champions Merthyr and a further 4 points behind Pontypridd, with a game in hand on both.
On the opening weekend of the season RGC hosted Merthyr at Parc Eirias. Tries from Winger Rhys Tudor, Hooker George Roberts and the boot of Billy McBryde helped the Gogs to 23-17 victory. A loss away to Llandovery was followed by victories over Pontypridd and Llanelli. There were standout victories before Christmas against Swansea and Aberavon. A stellar first half performance against Aberavon saw them go into the break 26-8 ahead with two ties from Winger Harri Evans, and one each for Billy McBryde and Efan Jones. A second half try from Sam Williams ensured they held on to win 36-30.
They started 2020 with two consecutive losses against Llandovery and Pontypridd before going three games unbeaten with wins against Llanelli and Swansea, and a 15-15 draw against Carmarthen Quins. Their last game of the season ended up being a 20-17 loss to Ebbw Vale. The North Walians will be disappointed that the season was cut short, having been in a good position to challenge the top six.
There were several standout players this season. A very solid pack helped Outside-half Billy McBryde to shine as he finished as the league’s top scorer with 163 points, including 6 tries. Back three players Rhys Tudor and Afon Bagshaw scored 7 tries apiece, finishing the year just one try behind Pontypridd Winger Dale Stuckey.
Back-Row forward Tim Grey said, “To say we aren’t disappointed would be a lie as we strive to be a top four team. But with the season finishing early I don’t think the 7th place finish reflected how the season went.”
“The positives definitely have to be our forwards this year, in the past some have said that our pack isn’t the strongest, even though I would contest that. With Saul Nelson coming in our backs now have a solid platform to play off.”
“In terms of next season, it will be a matter of regrouping when COVID-19 is over and reflect on how this year went. Then we’ll have a plan on what to work on and what we’ve done well.”
On how the club helps the development of players, “We’re a very young team who play for each other and have goals of reaching a higher level of rugby. It’s great for the young players to develop and get a small understanding of what professional rugby may look like. It’s also great for a slightly older player who may have been released from a region down south and just needs a bit more mentoring. “
“The sooner the regions and South Wales see RGC as a tool for their young players and somewhere that they could send their up and coming players for regular game time, the better it will be for Welsh Rugby as a whole.”
by Tobias Hunt
Tobias' Sports Journalism Blog 