The Russian national championship runners-up brought a physical approach to the game and held the North Walians to 21-21 but with time running out Michael Raikes kicked RCG to victory with a vital penalty.
Strong defence from RGC stopped the impressive Enisei from scoring in the first 10 minutes. RGC scored first with a penalty from fly-half Raikes but that was quickly matched by Dima Gerasimov.
RGC soon found their feet and with a quarter of an hour gone some neat offloading saw full back Ciaran Hearn score the first try of the match.
Both teams spurned promising scoring chances close to the line, due in part to ferocious defending.
Enisei fought their way through to the RGC try line, where a number of phases followed, leading to Anton Rudoy scoring Enisei’s first try.
RGC struggled to break through Enisei’s organised defence, but through a quick tap from captain Sean White they were awarded a penalty which Raikes scored to draw the scores level 11-11 at half time.
RGC hit back immediately after the break, scoring through a brilliant break and support play from White, who sent Hearn over for his second try. Raikes kicked the conversion to give the home team a seven point lead.
Enisei had Pavel Butenko sent off soon after and Raikes increased RGC’s lead with a penalty.
Not to be outdone, man-of-the-match Rudoy ran in a try under the posts after shrugging off several would-be tacklers, with the conversion added by Gerasimov.
In all, the second half was played with much more invention from both teams, as the game started to open up. Gerasimov banged over a penalty kick to again level the scores at 21-21.
With the match delicately poised Raikes stepped up to edge RCG in front and thereafter strong defence held the Russians at bay to continue their rich vein of form at home.
Head Coach, Clive Griffiths was delighted with the result saying: “The lads showed that they were able to compete against a much bigger, physical side. We defended well for large periods of the game and our handling skills were excellent for both of the tries.”
Chairman of Rygbi Gogledd Cymru, Kenton Morgan added: “This was RGC’s biggest test to date. It was an enthralling match which had the crowd on the edge of their seats until the final whistle. Enisei demonstrated that Russian rugby is on the up, they were athletic and skilful. Those that were present will agree that this was RGC’s best performance to date”.
RGC’s next game is at home to Welsh Premiership outfit Cross Keys on Saturday 17th April. (KO 6.30pm).
For more information visit: www.gogleddcymru.blogspot.com
