Swansea Seal The Win

RGC 31 Swansea 38

SRC Round 5, Saturday 18th October 2025

It was another frustrating afternoon at Stadiwm Eirias, with RGC again giving themselves too much to do after a slow first half and ultimately couldn't do enough in the final 40 minutes to get that 1st home win.

The opening score came from the boot of Billy McBryde as his penalty was on target.

The visitors struck back with a fairly easy try when Jacob Hopkins picked the ball from the back of the ruck and strolled in unchallenged. Conversion Josh Phillips.

It was the homeside that struck back, with the driving maul getting its reward with a Jac Petch-Jones try and McBryde conversion.

A few minutes later, the hooker was off injured, replaced by Osian Burt.

RGC’s only attacking threat was coming from the maul, and they did get near the line on a couple of occasions, but it didn't end with a score

Neither side were in full flow, with passes not finding hands and the error count racking up with intermittent interruptions from the officials whistle.

That didn't hamper the scoring Swansea claimed try number 2 from close range. Phillips again adding the extras.

It wasn't a game for the purists, as supporters witnessed little to cheer for - with errors, penalties, kicks and about 2 phases breaking any flow or momentum.

Around the breakdown, Swansea found themselves on the right side of the referee's whistle,  as the crowd found themselves wondering who was actually offside.

Swansea’s linespeed in defence forced RGC back, again not really building any controlled phases. And when they did have then ball, the white shirts swarmed them.

Osian Burt was shown a yellow after going in for a clear out at the ruck, and Swansea had a man advantage.  After a long discussion between the officials and RGC - Christian Hone was brought on as a hooker and the scrum remained contested.

As halftime approached, the visitors moved the ball left to right with a looping pass putting Iwan Glynn away in the corner. It was the only real open play of a rather underwhelming 40 minutes of limited rugby. Extras from Phillips gave his side an 11-point lead at the break.

RGC needed to come out and get points on the board, but Swansea had other ideas and it was an all important 18 point lead on 41 minutes when the pack crashed over.  The boot of Phillips hit the conversion.

It was uncontested scrums with no hooker,  with Hone  back on the bench and 13 men on the field.

Gethin O’Callaghan looked to carry hard and was taken into touch, Gareth Parry took the ball close to the whitewash - but again the visitors did enough in defence.

Both sides were shown yellows with Billy McQueeney off for the home side and centre Callum Carson off for Swansea.

The Gogs claimed their 2nd try, and it was from another maul, and another hooker came up with the ball, Osian Burt.  Great nudge from McBryde got the conversion as well.

Much like previous games, the Gogs needed to gain a foothold and get the next points to keep that momentum moving forwards but Swansea moved into the RGC 22, hit the rucks, recycled the ball and powered over.  Conversion from Phillips again.

The game was being played in each others 22, and an inventive pass surprised the Swansea defence.  From the ruck, firing the ball to the shortside - RGC’s top scorer Caio Parry ran a great line, to add to his seasons tally.  McByde hit the conversion from the touchline.

Swansea were then up the field,  pressing for that next try but some great breakdown work gave RGC the turnover ball, which was much needed.

Straight on the attack and a kick ahead for a good chase, RGC were pulled back for offside and crucially Phillips took advantage with the penalty from distance.

As the game went on the Gogs started to show some energy in attack, strong running, keeping the ball moving - all adding to Swansea problems.

Centre Delwyn Jones ran in for the BP try and when McBryde nailed the conversion it was a 2 score game, and the hope of the home support was raised again.

It seemed RGC were finding success down the middle, and when Osian Llewelyn carried hard, he took defenders and the ball close to the line, but not close enough to get the try.

Dion Jones and Caio Parry both took quick lineouts, to keep that attacking pace in full flow, re-charging and re-igniting the crowd.

It was a sign that when there was any break in play in the closing 10 minutes, and clearly the visitors were relieved, and took advantage of every second of no action.

RGC had a couple of rolls of the dice, but when a  lineout didn’t find hands, they tried again to get some ball but both the clock and territory were in the visitors favour and ultimately so were the 5 points.