The Blue and Blacks finish 2023 just outside the top four as RGC are victorious in North Wales.
The weather played a massive factor as both teams could not get going in North Wales. Whenever either team looked to be building on a good attacking phase a few too many handling errors were costly.
Late into the first half the rain eased off and RGC took full advantage scoring the only try of the game. This kept The Blue and Blacks at a safe distance as they recorded a 14-9 victory.
With the rain falling, it became apparent that whenever referee Ben Connor awarded either team a penalty within kicking distance both captains would look to take the three points.
Full back Sam Earl-Jones broke the deadlock after just 4 minutes successfully converting to put RGC in the lead.
After, Cardiff looked to be getting themselves back into the game, referee Ben Connor awarded the away side a penalty after Delwyn Jones was guilty of being offside. 18-year-old Harri Wilde stepped up and added the three to bring the game level.
With conditions not being favourable for either Evan Lloyd or Jack Tomlinson, line outs were not going straight. However, it was the home side that finished the first half the stronger as the ball spilled out of a ruck after Tom Habberfield took an impressive catch.
Scrum-half Efan Jones scrambled and picked up the ball to cross in the corner for the home sides first try of the evening.
It didn’t end there for the Gogs as Sam Earl-Jones finished the first half with another penalty kick that put RGC eight points clear at the break.
HT: RGC 11-3 Cardiff
With the rain seeming to have eased off, conditions improved at the Stadiwm CSM for both teams.
It was RGC who the had first opportunity in the second half as Nathan Hudd was penalised for playing the ball on the floor. Sam Earl-Jones had the opportunity to extent the Gogs lead further, however his shot went wide.
Replacement Harrison James managed to bring The Blue and Blacks back within a score after a successful penalty. However, frustratingly Craig Hudd was penalised for taking out RGCs fly half Harri Ford and Sam Earl-Jones again put the Gogs two scores clear around the hour mark.
With the clock nearly in the red, The Blue and Blacks had one last attacking threat from inside their 22. The ball seemingly for the first time in the game was flowing nicely through the hands of the Cardiff backline and Jacob Lloyd played the ball to Dewi Cross who was taken out by RGCs captain Afon Bagshaw.
After bringing the TMO into the game for the first time, Ben Connor awarded the Gogs captain a red card for making direct contact with Dewi Cross’s head.
From just outside his 22 Harrison James managed to get the ball way into the 22 of RGC as Cardiff went hunting for a hard fought losing bonus point. This paid off as RGC was penalised and Harrison James held his nerve, which secured The Blue and Blacks a losing bonus point.
Cardiff will start 2024 with an away trip back to the Ciner Glass Community Stadium as they take on Ebbw Vale on the 6th January.