Coventry Claim the Win

Coventry 59 v RGC 31

Saturday 30th August 2025

A stirring 2nd half performance from the Gogs gave RGC some positives as they head into the SRC season in 2 weeks.

It was the visitors that took the game to Coventry early doors, with James Brown and Sam Williams carrying hard, but it was the homeside that got the opening score when Murray Davidson went over with Josh Thomas adding the extras

The Champ side struggled with the restart and RGC were able to collect the ball and build an attack. From  close range Scott Bullock dived over for the try.

Charlie Probert was working hard around the breakdown, and managing to get some turnover ball.

The homeside, who finished 5th in the League last season, showed their attacking intent and  extended the lead after a 1st phase ball opened up the field and centre Oli Morris was able to race in.

RGC were looking for the same inroads, and Connor Dever broke himself, but didnt have the support runners when he got tackled.

At times when they did have possessio,n they seemed to force a pass at the wrong time, or look to kick but not have the chasers following up in time.

Centre Oli Morris claimed his 2nd try when a crossfield kick was pinpoint into his arms and he collected to score.

The Gogs were struggling to make a dent in the Coventry defence, and when the homeside claimed the ball, they did make those yards far easier.

Those yards were created with some pace and skill, and that was seen when Josh Thomas played a pass from the back of his hand and scrum-half Barton collected before a dart down the wing to touchdown. Thomas hit the conversion.

Thomas showed great pace through the middle and skipped the tackles to set up Elliot Salt. Thomas split the posts for the 2 points.

As the half neared the end, Coventry were awarded a penalty try and it was 38-5 at the break.

The 2nd half started in a similar fashion when winger Opoku-Fordjour was fed the ball and ran in for the try, with the conversion to follow.

Another try followed after RGC again were responsible for a loose pass, and Coventry took advantage to score.

Keeping the ball and going through phases wasn't happening for RGC and the visitors were punishing these errors. Winger Opoku-Fordjour again skipped past tackles to run in for his 2nd, and the conversion made it 59-5.

Credit the RGC, who dug in when the scoreboard was running away and got back in the game when McBryde hit a crossfield kick to Caio Parry on halfway, before Dion Jones collected to chase down the pitch to score.  McBryde hit the conversion.

Caio Parry turned try scorer when the ball went loose and the winger flipped the ball on the run, then caught it to dab down. McBryed added the extras.

Coventry were having to defend more, and when the Gogs were on the line they popped the ball wide to Osian Llewlyn as he dived in the corner for try number 3, and McBryde fired a great kick from the touchline.

The final try was claimed by RGC, when the boot of McBryde claimed another assist when it found Dion Jones on the wing to score.

RGC open their SRC campaign against Cardiff at Stadiwm CSM, 13th September.

Season Ticket available - http://www.ethicalticketing.org/RGC/memberships