The former general manager of the North Wales region, Rupert Moon, said it would probably take RGC five years to achieve their dream of reaching the top flight, but they managed to hit the target a year early. They joined Division 1 East in 2012.
“This is a great achievement for rugby in north Wales and the age profile of this team means this is only the start for them. The players have done this the hard way because five of our last seven fixtures were on the road,” said head coach Phil Davies.
“The fans have played their part, too, and we had about 400 roaring us on in Glynneath. Moving up to the Premiership is going to be a big challenge, but a really exciting step for rugby in the north.”
The result meant RGC were able to leapfrog rivals Pontypool into fourth place, pipping them by two points to seal the fourth and final promotion spot. It was the perfect way for the cub to celebrate their 100th league fixture since their creation in 2012.
The Colwyn-Bay based side had to fend off a late Glynneath comeback but showed enough resolve to grind out the victory in front of a 400-strong army of travelling fans. RGC set up their tense season finale after edging Pontypool 17-8 two weeks ago and then thumping Cardiff Met 50-10 last week.
The North Wales outfit knew a win was all that mattered in what was their fifth game on the road in their last seven fixtures. They came out of the blocks firing on full cylinders and first-half tries from full-back Afon Bagshaw, centre Tiaan Loots and outside half James Lang gave them a convincing lead.
And after a stop start second-half, RGC were made to work when former Wales 7’s international Aaron Bramwell crossed from the home side with 15 minutes to play. An injury to a Glynneath player brought the game to a premature end cueing the RGC celebrations as they joined Merthyr, Swansea and Bargoed in going up next season.
Llanharan picked up their first win of the season on the final day thrashing Narberth 47-24 despite playing 60 minutes of the game with 14 men. Ryan Haines was sent off in the 21st minute, but The Dairymen recorded an extraordinary second half display to find their maiden victory.
Liam Union scored twice with Evan Parry-John, Huw Thomas and Garyn Parsons also chipping in with tries. Llanharan will slip down to Division One after losing 25 games, and mustering only seven points, but this impressive bonus-point win will give them some consolation.
Cardiff Met edged out fellow mid-table side Beddau 26-21 in a tight affair. Chay Smith scored a double for the students with James Beale and James Little also adding tries. Met had to remain firm late on to halt Beddau but did enough to secure seventh place in the league, one point behind Beddau.
