Tries from Dion Jones, Ethan Fackrell, Dan Owen and Rhodri King, as well 14 points from the boot of Billy McBryde, ensured the Gogs returned north with five league points in the bag.
It also brings to an end RGC’s run of three consecutive away trips in SRC. It would have been four, had their fixture at Cardiff on 7 December not been postponed.
“I am chuffed for the boys,” said director of rugby Josh Leach. “We wanted to end this block of away games with a good result – and they dug deep for it.
“Last week we had the energy against Llandovery, and it was about building on that. Even with a sticky pitch and greasy ball we started the game with pace, attacked well and were rewarded with the scores.”
Outside half McBryde kicked the Gogs ahead on seven minutes, with their first try arriving five minutes later – when full-back Jones went over in the corner after outside centre Harri Hughes’ burst. McBryde added the extras.
Bridgend then responded with a try from full-back before Mccauley Rowley, converted by Ben Burnell, but the visitors were soon over again with flanker Fackrell collecting a McBryde pass before heading for the line. McBryde’s conversion also took him on to 100 points for the season so far.
RGC would take a 27-7 lead into the break after adding a third try, with good work from prop Pedr Jones resulting in another back rower Owen running in. McBryde converted and then landed another penalty right on the half time whistle.
Bridgend struck first after the re-start; hooker Evan Yardley crossing from a rolling maul with Ben Burnell converting, but then a minute short of the hour RGC secured their try bonus point with a driving maul try of their own which went to hooker King. McBryde’s conversion made it 34-14.
Bridgend refused to lie down and hit back again with Yardley grabbing his second try from another attacking maul, with Burnell converting.
RGC were camped in their own 22 and with Bridgend piling on the pressure with penalties and territory, they opted for the lineout and driving maul time and time again – eventually resulting in a penalty try.
The visitors found themselves down to 13 men with Celt Ffransis-Roberts and Ilan Evans yellow carded ensuring a nervous finish. Backs to the wall, RGC held on for their maiden away victory in SRC while for the Ravens, despite claiming two bonus points, this result marked a sixth successive defeat.
“With Bridgend getting the score right after half time – and knowing they had a decent bench to bring on – we knew it was going to be a tough second half,” added Leach.
“The score gave them the lift, and then we had to play with 13 men after the yellows. During that 10-minutes we dug deep, showed composure and managed the referee, which enabled us to close the game out and get that win.”
Llandovery made it six wins on the spin and took the maximum six points on offer in the process after defeating Carmarthen Quins 35-5 at Church Bank.
Two first half tries from right wing Llien Morgan and one for hooker Taylor Davies, all converted by outside half Ioan Hughes, helped the Drovers open up a 21-5 half time lead. Wing Ifan Davies replied for the Quins.
Prop Jamie Hughes made sure of Llandovery’s first bonus point with try number four with replacement Ed Scragg grabbing a fifth try off the bench. Hughes added the extras to both scores.
Meanwhile, also bagging six points were Aberavon – who saw off winless bottom side Swansea 26-0 at the Talbot Athletic Ground to make it a hat-trick of SRC victories for the Wizards.
No 8 Ashton Evans’ first half try, converted by Ed Dunford, was followed up with second half tries from right wing Cori Lewis-Jenkins and a double from left wing Felix Gilbert. Dunford converted Lewis-Jenkins’ try and the first of Gilbert’s. For Swansea this was defeat number 11 from 11 matches in SRC.
