It was a second reverse of the campaign for the Drovers, who now have to head north to Colwyn Bay this week for a top-of-the-table clash with the Gogs. It will be RGC’s third successive hoem game and they are now only two points behind the leaders.
Botica’s big boot made sure RGC skipper Maredydd Francis crowned his 100th appearance with a win as he landed a monster penalty to break Bridgend hearts and steal an 18-17 win.
For long periods it looked as though the Ravens were going to head home with a famous victory after leading 10-5 at half-time and then hit back to leaded 17-15 in the second half. But then Botica, who came on to replace Danny Cross after the interval, snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.
Sam Wainwright picked up a rolling maul try from a line-out to give the home side the lead, but Ryan Evans replied with a penalty to keep the Ravens in touch. Evans was then wide with two long range penalty shots, one from five metres in his own half, but did add the extras to Harri Morgan’s 27th minute try.
RGC had the wind at their backs after the break and had a one man advantage for 10 minutes in the third quarter after Ravens hooker Owen Thomas saw yellow. Home centre Harri Evans then skipped through to score a try that Botica converted to regain the lead.
A Botica penalty made it 15-10 before the Ravens mounted one last effort. An interception gained them 50 meters and a penalty allowed them to kick to the home 22. The rolling maul came on, Francis was given a yellow card for pulling it down and from a powerful scrum the visitors were given a penalty try.
That gave them a two point lead with five minutes to play. But then a collapsed scrum on half-way gave Botica his shot at glory, which he took to give Francis a happy ending to his big day.
The mighty Carmarthen Quins had Scarlets outside half Dan Jones to thank for their 26-12 derby win over Llandovery as he kicked 16 points. A busy opening quarter began with Jones putting the hosts on the board with a penalty.
The Drovers, who entered the game as the boys to beat in the West with five victories to their name, replied with a try from Duane Edgar with the conversion missed. And minutes later, it got even better for the visitors when Shaun Miles crossed with Kristian Jones adjusting the radar to split the uprights.
Jones ensured the Quins remained in touch with a penalty soon after. Morgan Griffiths put the Quins ahead once again as Jones kicked a conversion and a penalty just before the interval.
The second-half remained quiet as both teams struggled to find clear cut opportunities. Jones kicked another penalty in the final five minutes with Torin Myhill crossing for a try at the death to confirm the victory.
Llanelli edged a thrilling derby clash with Swansea as they emerged 33-27 winners at Parc Y Scarlets. It was the home side who came out on top, but they were given a real second-half scare as the All Whites roared back from 26-3 down at the break to nearly steal the spoils.
Two tries from Thomas Rogers, an Oliver Reyland effort and Lloyd Pike’s opener meant Phil Davies’ Llanelli scored four tries before the break. Ellis Thomas added a fifth when the game resumed and at that stage, it looked like the men in red would secure a comfortable victory.
Swansea had other ideas. Out of nowhere they came roaring back to score three tries and set up a thrilling finish.
Tom Ball got things going in the 53rd minute and Rhys Williams added the visitors’ second score just five minutes later. Impressive young gun Owen Howe kicked two conversions and two penalties, but even a late penalty try – worth an automatic seven points – couldn’t steal the encounter for Swansea.
Llanelli were made to sweat, but ultimately Rogers’ brace proved crucial and Ioan Hughes ended the game with eight points via four conversions of his team’s five tries. Victory means Llanelli kept up the pressure on Llandovery and RGC 1404 at the top of Principality Premiership West, while Swansea stayed rooted to the bottom.
Aberavon bounced back from their shock 36-22 loss at Llanelli by comfortably beating arch-rivals Neath 41-20 at the Talbot Athletic Ground. The Wizards trailed at 8-5 half-time, but weaved their magic in the second-half to return to winning ways in stylish fashion.
Neath, meanwhile, are now five games without a victory as they continue their slump down the West conference. Joe Tomalin-Reeves crossed for Aberavon’s first try inside five minutes with outside-half James Garland – on his 30th birthday – missing the conversion.
Ed Howley also went wide from the boot for Neath but he redeemed himself minutes later with three-points. And it got better for Neath when Sion Crocker went over to hoist them ahead at the break.
Aberavon unleashed their comeback with William Price crossing six minutes after the break. Liam Popham and Ben Jones then added two tries in two minutes to put the hosts comfortably ahead before birthday man Garland got in on the action with a 63rd minute drop-goal.
Charlie Davies scored for Neath with Mike Wilson going over for Aberavon’s fifth. Richard Smith found Neath’s third try, but it was the Wizards who had the last laugh as David Pritchard crossed with Garland converting.
