A brace from hooker Rhodri King, tries from centres Danny Cross and Afon Bagshaw and prop Pedr Jones, along with three conversions and a penalty from Billy McBryde, ensured RGC headed back north with five more points.
“It’s an iconic ground and it’s been a while since we’ve won down here so it’s a special place to pick up the victory for the boys,” said Leach.
“Obviously, we are up against it when it comes to away games with long journeys and travelling but we’re getting a mindset around that – learning to get on the road and win games and as a group.”
For Cardiff hooker Charlie Manship scored twice, with Olly Das, Gavin Parry and Benji Williams also on the scoresheet. Josh Thomas converted three of their five tries.
The other game in Pool A saw Aberavon defeat Bridgend 36-25 at the Talbot Athletic Ground. The Wizards were all but out of sight by half time, leading 29-5, running in five first half tries.
No 8 Ashton Evans, scrum-half Elis Horgan, wing Harrison Doe and a brace from centre Brad Roderick, both converted by Owen Erasmus, put Jason Hyatt’s men firmly in control. A sixth Aberavon try just after the re-start, scored by flanker Gwilym Evans and converted by Erasmus, extended their lead to 36-5.
However, credit to Bridgend, who rallied to leave with a bonus point after second half tries from hooker Corey Lewis, wing Rhydian Greenhall and replacements Tommy Morgan and Mccauley Rowley – adding to prop Freddie Chapman’s first half try – although all five of their tries went unconverted.
RGC sit top of the pool on 10 points, from Aberavon on six from two played and Llandovery, who had a bye in this round, on five. Cardiff and Bridgend are yet to register a win.
Meanwhile, in Pool B, Pontypool sit top with 10 points after their 35-29 triumph at Carmarthen Quins. Hooker Sam Scarfe, outside half Kieran Meek, scrum-half Morgan Lloyd and No 8 Morgan Allen all powered over for Pooler, while Meek added three penalties and three conversions for a 20-point match tally.
Despite defeat, Quins registered their first points in this season’s competition after scoring five tries of their own through centres Jac Howells and Gabe McDonald, hooker Lewis Morgan, captain James Newnian and replacement Gruff Williams. Ellis Payne added the extras to two of them.
Newport opened their cup campaign with a crushing eight try 52-24 win at Swansea to bag the maximum six points on offer.
The Black & Ambers made a breathtaking start and were ahead inside two minutes through centre Barney Nightingale’s try.
That was one of five first half tries, with flanker Lewis David, number eight Josh Reid, wing Elliot Frewen and a penalty try helping them into a 33-12 at the break. Matt O’Brien added three conversions.
Newport followed that up with three further tries in the second half, with Nightingale – converted by O’Brien – and David both bagging their second tries respectively with skipper Ben Roach also dotting down, converted by Jac Lloyd.
Swansea hooker Jamie Cox scored a hat-trick while there was a try on his Whites debut for full-back Iwan Glynn. Outside half Harri Williams added two conversions.
Newport head coach Ty Morris said: “The last time we played at Swansea we were behind at half time after a very slow start and found it very hard to get into the game.
“So, this time we put a big emphasis on having a fast – and the boys came out and definitely answered the call.”
Ebbw Vale – who had a bye through this round – sit alongside Newport behind Pontypool on six points from one played having already opened their account with maximum points against Carmarthen Quins. Swansea and Carmarthen Quins sit on three and two points respectively from two played.
The SRC Cup returns in two weeks with Bridgend and Cardiff locking horns while RGC go up against Llandovery at Parc Eirias. Something will have to give when Gwent rivals Pontypool and Ebbw Vale clash while Newport host Carmarthen Quins.
