The Drovers switched the fixture while their new 4G pitch is completed and then meant a second successive away trip at the start of the new campaign. They got out of jail at Pontypool Park on the opening day of the season, but there was no escape in north Wales.
Their seven-match winning run came to a crashing end as the pumped-up home side put their last-gasp defeat to Cardiff behind them to show they could be a force to be reckoned with this season.
“We’ve talked about seeing where we might be levels wise after playing Cardiff and Llandovery and the progress the players have made over the pre-season, and the hard work they have put in, is very evident,” said Leach.
“Last week against Cardiff we knew we had to make improvements in certain areas and that was our focus. So, it’s very pleasing as a coaching group to see that we have addressed those areas.
“The next challenge is to build on our consistency. We were good for 70% of the game, but it’s about building on that, looking to improve, and taking all that into next week’s home game against Pontypool.
“We want to play a high tempo game, so it’s vital that when the players on the bench come on that they make an immediate impact. You can see that coming over pre-season and our two games to date.”
Superbly marshalled by Billy McBryde, who has returned to RGC after a very successful spell at Doncaster Knights, RGC stayed in the fight throughout. McBryde helped himself to 15 points with a second half try, two early penalties and two conversions.
Having swapped early penalties with Jack Maynard he added a second shortly after Adam Warren had notched the first of the game’s five tries. Maynard added the extras to that score, but RGC hit the front just before the break when Dan Owen scored.
McBryde’s conversion made it 13-10 and Maynard levelled at the start of the second half. Back came RGC with tries from their new half-back duo, Connor Dever and McBryde and the latter improved the try by his scrum half.
That made it 25-16, Maynard adding another penalty in between, and after Sam Earl-Jones had struck a mighty penalty for the home side a Rhodri Jones try and Maynard conversion at least ensured the Drovers went home with a losing bonus-point.
Newport made it two from two as they finally overhauled Swansea, winning 35-27. Having taken an early lead through a try from Josh Reid they found themselves trailing 20-7 at the break.
Swansea hit back with outside half Josh Phillips kicking two penalties, scoring a try and adding two conversions. Phillips improved his own score and added the extras to a try by wing Callum Dodd.
Lock Joe Peard grabbed his first try for the club in the 45th minute and Penny’s second made it 20-14. Swansea replied with a try from hooker Owen Thomas, which Phillips converted to give the All Whites a 13-point lead.
Then Swansea lost lock Sam Pailor to a yellow card and Newport pounced. Tries from Penny and Jac Lloyd, both improved by Penny, brought up the bonus point and edged them into a one-point lead before Wade Langley scored a solo effort in added time.
Ryan Wilkins of Bridgend beats Sam Scarfe of Pontypool to score a try
There were eight tries and four yellow cards in a chaotic match at the Brewery Field where Pontypool hit back from their opening night defeat to beat Bridgend 29-26. It took a Pat Lewis try in the 76th minute to clinch it as Pooler hit the front for the second time in the match right at the death.
The only consolation for the Ravens was they picked up two bonus points for their efforts. Early tries from Jordon Collier and Edd Howley earned the Ravens a 12-point lead.
By half-time Pooler had hit back to lead through driving line-out tries from Sam Scarfe and Mike Herbert, and a third from wing Ioan Duggan. The lead changed hands again in the 53rd minute when Ryan Wilkins went over and Luke Price landed his second conversion.
Scott Matthews scored Pooler’s bonus point try to make it 22-19 before Alfie Llewellyn got Bridgend’s fourth. Price added the extras and with seven minutes to go Bridgend led 26-22 – then came Lewis’ matchwinner, which Kieran Meek converted.
Cardiff made it two from two as they avenged their defeat at home by Ebbw Vale last season. Dewi Cross went over for two more tries, while hooker Efan Daniel and full back Joe Goodchild, celebrating his 50th appearance for the club, got the others.
Former Ospreys outside half Josh Thomas helped himself to nine points to ensure the Blue & Blacks picked up a try bonus and an extra point for winning by more than 15 or more points. It was 17-0 to Cardiff at the break before Ieuan Morris crossed for an Ebbw try that Evan Lloyd converted. Lewis Young grabbed a second try for the visitors.
