RGC Put Steelmen to the Sword

Ebbw Vale 10 RGC 18

Saturday 4th April 2026

RGC pulled off a bit of history, with a first league win away at Ebbw Vale. It also puts them in pole position to finish in the top 6 heading into the Play-Offs.

It wasn’t a first half for the purists, with 3 penalties the only scores.  RGC lead from 2 Billy McBryde penalties, with Ebbw Vale's Tom Price scoring one.

RGC’s lineout didn’t fire, which let the home side off the ropes at times, as when the Gogs worked hard to gain the ball, and get down the pitch - the Steelmen were given easy possession from the lineouts.

Ebbw Vale looked at times to attack the space, but the Gogs line speed was shutting down any glimpse of the home side's ventures into the 22.

Kicking into the wind, the home side found the ball going high but not that far.

It was no surprise Ebbw Vale looked to target the scrum, but RGC kept themselves in the arm wrestle up front.

As the half went on, RGC got more into the match, speed around the breakdown, ball moving through hands …but crucially, the lineout was not helping them.

McBryde hit a crossfield kick, but the bounce went the wrong way, taking it away from the hands of Caio Parry.

2nd half against the wind, it was going to need a massive effort, and that is what every player gave.

McBryde was just short with a penalty as the wind held the ball up, a sign that every opportunity to claim points was vital.

RGC picked up the pace, speed around the breakdown, both with and without the ball.

Charlie Probert was hitting every tackle, Gareth Parry was forcing errors around the breakdown, and PedrJones added some power in the scrum.

The game began to open up, the pitch was heavy, so finding space and pace was always going to cause problems.  Caio Parry attacked down the wing, but a minute later Delwyn Jones was chasing a ball back 80 meters to his own line under pressure to clear.

RGC were looking to move the ball through hands, keep the ball and play attacking rugby. Clear heads, on the front foot and fitness were both on show.

The Gogs were reduced to 14 men, when Celt Ffrancis-Robert was yellow-carded.

Ebbw Vale had one intention to score, and that was always going to be with power - and hooker Ieuan Morris went over with Price converting.

The game was loose, which played into RGC's favour - having the backline to attack.

Caio Parry collected the ball on the left, and from his own half arced down the field, out pacing every tackler to dive in the right wing for a superb solo score. McBryde found the posts with the conversion.  In a game where running rugby wasn't fully on show, this try was one for the highlight clips.

Both sides knew the next score would change the narrative of the game, and when Ben Main was sin-binned for the Steelmen, RGC took advantage.

A tense last few minutes was expected, but scrum-half Connor Dever had other plans, when he spotted a gap and sprinted straight to the line for another try.  The defence parted ways, and he dabbed down - knocking the wind out of their sails.

The effort and will to play the ball against the wind, on a heavy pitch, was fully rewarded,  putting the Steelmen to the sword and fully appreciated by the travelling supporters.

RGC head back to Stadiwm Eirias, to play Bridgend in the last regular league game of the season on Saturday.

RGC winger Sam Jones “It is a tough place to come and win, as history shows.  The win is massive, and keeps the top 6 in our hands. We looked to play rugby in that 2nd half, and took the set piece away from them.  The focus is next week, and keeping the momentum going"