But while Steve Law’s men were able to make the most of gaining a two-man advantage at home against Pontypridd the previous weekend following the departures of Ryan Wilkins and Curtis Greenslade for reckless tackles, there was no time left to take advantage of Bagshaw’s departure.
It did present Harrison James with a chance to kick a penalty that at least secured a losing bonus-point for the visitors, but they were well beaten in the end.
“It was a fantastic win for the group and it was a big game against a team that we haven’t had good results against for a few years. The boys needed to get that win and I am delighted for them,” said RGC head coach Ceri Jones.
“We won the physical battle every time we needed to, and it was the most physical I’ve seen us. If we’d been more accurate it would have turned a tight win into a more comfortable win.”
A corner try by scrum half Efan Jones in the first half was the highlight of a game in which all the other points came from the boot – Sam Earl-Jones added three penalties for RGC and Harri Wilde and Harrison James shared three for the visitors.
For the second weekend in a row Indigo Prem leaders Llandovery failed to pick up a try-bonus point, although their 20-10 triumph over Merthyr at The Wern still keeps them three points clear at the top with a game in hand.
The Drovers led 12-0 at the break after a scintillating solo try by scrum half Lee Rees, converted by outside half Jack Maynard, and one from their leading try scorer, hooker Taylor Davies, from a short range line out.
It should have been more as the Drovers missed two golden chances, but the Ironmen responded well in the second half. Skipper and flanker Paddy McBride drove through from close range to bag a try that Gareth Thompson converted.
Maynard and Thompson swapped penalties before replacement hooker Craig Thomas put Llandovery clear again.
Pontypool got back on the horse again after their derby defeat to arch-rivals last weekend as they completed a double over Swansea with a 24-3 win at St Helen’s.
A Rhys Jones penalty kicked off the scoring after 12 minutes, but Pooler hit back with a pushover try from No 8 Ben Moa that Matthew Jarvis improved as he celebrated his 50th game for the club.
Jones was wide with another penalty shot and just before the break the visitors’ patience and power proved decisive as they went through the phases close to the Swansea line before prop Ollie Drake powered his way over.
Jarvis converted and then brought the curtain down on the first-half with a penalty that made it 17-3 to the visitors. After the break, Jarvis pushed another penalty shot wide before flanker Callum Davies and home scrum-half Gareth J Rees both received yellow cards for a bit of pushing and shoving.
All that was left was for captain for the day Ashley Sweet to barge his way over for Pooler’s third try, which Jarvis improved.
Aberavon needed a reaction after losing at The Gnoll on Boxing Day and skipper Joe Gage led the way with a try after only six minutes to kickstart a much needed 32-26 home victory over Bridgend.
Aled Thomas added the extras to that opening score, and then powerful lock Rhys Thomas pounced for a second to make it 12-0 in as many minutes. Slowly, but surely, the visitors got a toehold in the game and a try from Ben Thomas got them on the board before Edd Howley kicked a penalty to cut the gap to four points.
Scrum half Liam Seaward then grabbed Aberavon’s third try midway through the first half and Thomas converted. Back came Bridgend and a special try from full back Howley, which he also improved made it 19-15 at the break.
Five minutes into the second half Zac O’Driscoll edged the Ravens ahead with a try, but it was short lived. The Wizards replied with a try from Ben Gregory, and after adding the extras Thomas kicked a penalty to make it 29-20 on the hour mark.
Howley and Thomas swapped further penalties before the Bridgend man added another to leave his side with a losing bonus-point.
The game between Carmarthen Quins and Neath was called off minutes before kick-off after yet another deluge rendered the Carmarthen Park pitch unplayable.
