Win Arrives at Eirias
RGC 26 Pontypool 12
Saturday 13 December 2025
RGC delivered an early Christmas present to the home faithful as they claimed their first home win of the season with an impressive performance against Pontypool.
It was a bright start from the home side, with a well-executed kicking game causing early panic in the Pooler defence. That pressure paid dividends inside three minutes when Dion Jones continued his fine try-scoring form by crossing for the opening score.
RGC were in complete control, showing real intensity in attack. A sweeping move from left to right saw Caio Parry spark the attack before, five passes later, Delwyn Jones finished strongly on the right wing. McBryde added the conversion to stretch the lead.
Pontypool struggled to escape their own half, and every clearance was met with a direct RGC response, carrying hard and forcing their way back into the visitors’ 22.
On 14 minutes, RGC claimed their third try. Caio Parry raced down the touchline, outpacing the chasing defenders to score, with McBryde converting superbly from the touchline.
A quick tap from James Brown and a clever cat-flap pass opened up another opportunity, with Gareth Parry powering through midfield as RGC continued to punch holes in an increasingly stretched Pontypool defence.
Parry’s pace was also on display defensively, tracking back to gather a kick ahead following a break from Harri Ford.
It was as good an opening 25 minutes as witnessed at Stadiwm Eirias.
After 25 minutes, the game saw its first real lull, with RGC’s early attacking intensity having taken its toll on the visitors. Pontypool eventually got points on the board when scrum-half Morgan Lloyd spotted space from the base of a scrum and ran in for an excellent individual try, converted by Ford.
The visitors began to gain a foothold, helped by a misjudged McBryde clearance that bounced into touch-in-goal, handing Pontypool an attacking scrum. Unforced errors crept into RGC’s game, allowing Pontypool territory and possession.
As the penalty count rose, the Gogs’ defence came under sustained pressure, and just before half-time Pontypool powered over to reduce the deficit to seven points at the break.
Second Half
RGC started the second half on the front foot, immediately putting pressure on the Pooler line. That dominance told when bodies and ball crossed the whitewash, with Daf Thirsk scoring the bonus-point try. McBryde again converted.
If the opening quarter was free-flowing, this period was far more attritional. Pontypool carried hard through Morgan Allan, repeatedly testing the RGC defence, while the hosts were forced to show discipline as the penalty count continued to rise.
Despite finding space at times, Pontypool were repeatedly frustrated at the breakdown, penalised for not releasing the ball. Their pressure eventually saw Patrick Nelson sent to the sin bin as RGC were reduced to 14.
Four scrums brought four penalties as the Gogs were forced to defend under extreme pressure. Pontypool shifted the ball wide but failed to capitalise, wasting a clear scoring opportunity.
A crucial scrum penalty from RGC, with Gareth Parry prominent in the front row, helped relieve the pressure. From there, the home side continued to answer every question defensively, repeatedly turning the visitors over.
Pontypool’s frustration was evident as RGC held firm to close out a deserved 26–12 victory.