Blistering first half enables RGC to see off Aberavon

The Gogs’ picked up their second straight triumph in the absence of head coach Matt Silva and boosted their Indigo Group Premiership playoff hopes in the process, and they will look to claim another notable scalp in their next outing at defending champions Merthyr on December 27 (7.15pm).

The home side wasted no time in making an impact on proceedings when fly-half Billy McBryde finished off an outstanding move with the game’s first try early on, and the in-form player extended their cushion with a successful conversion attempt.

Aber managed to get themselves on the score-board soon after thanks to a fine penalty strike from James Garland, but the Gogs’ responded well following the restart and extended their advantage when Harri Evans crossed the white wash after being set-up superbly by Dion Jones.

Home skipper Tom Hughes produced a moment of magic midway through the half with a trademark dummy opened up a gap in the Wizards’ rearguard, leaving the centre with the simple task of offloading to scrum half Efan Jones for the touch down. McBryde added the extras.

The hosts managed to secure their bonus point in the first period after another penetrating run from Dion Jones left the visiting defence standing before he unselfishly teed up Evans for his second score of the contest.

Credit to the away side for their determined effort that saw Garyn Payne go over for their first try just before the break, but McBryde kept them out of reach following the interval with a well-struck penalty that sailed through the upright.

This did not deter the visitors in their pursuit of further attacking success, and nerves began to appear at Stadiwm Zip World thanks to a pair of tries in quick succession from Ashton Evans and Joe Gage.

Sam Williams put the game beyond all doubt when he went over for the home side for another try that was converted by McBryde, and despite the scorer given a yellow card late on it was not enough to alter the overall outcome of the contest.