The maths are simple for their final game of the season in the SSE Swalec Championship against Glynneath – draw with a try bonus point or win and they will overtake Pontypool to clinch the fourth promotion slot. Already guaranteed a spot in the Premiership next season are Merthyr, Swansea and Bargoed.
The north Walians have experienced a number of ‘must win’ matches in recent weeks and their nailbiting triumph at Pontypool Park was followed by a first triumph at Cardiff Met last weekend. That has taken them to within one win of their ultimate target.
RGC entered Division 1 East in 2012 and have travelled tens of thousands of miles up and down the country since then in their quest to achieve Premiership status. There are still a number of players involved who played in that first game at Gilfach Goch, including experienced wing Richard Hopkins, who returns to the back line..
“We have a job to complete against Glynneath and we’e got a tough game ahead of us. Saturday will be about hard work and calmness from all the whole RGC 1404 squad, who have all been superb this season,” said head coach Phil Davies.
“We represent the whole of North Wales and we know we have to concentrate on the processes to win the match. As simple as it sounds, getting the basics right are key and, had we had done that at Tata Steel, it would have been all over by now.
“It is in our own hands and the players need to perform well to pick up the win that will see us promoted. I’ve been bowled over by the support, especially with the number of fans that have travelled to cheer us on at Pontypool and Cardiff Met, and I’m sure we will have plenty of RGC fans behind us on Saturday.”
Glynneath have won four of their last six Championship matches and pulled off a sensational 46-29 triumph at Bargoed last weekend. That win ensured their survival in the Championship next season and they will end their campaign at the home of the champions, Merthyr, next week.
With only two points between themselves and eight placed Newcastle Emlyn, they could yet rise four places in the table if other results go their way.
SSE Swalec Championship Fixtures
Beddau v Cardiff Met
Glynneath v RGC 1404
Llanharan v Narberth
Glynneath
15. Josh Perriman
14. Jordan Griffiths
13. James Pike
12. Aaron Bramwell
11. James Roberts
10. Jack O’Reilly
9. Ben Jones
1. Dai Jones
2. Huw Wilkes
3. Callum Jones
4. Leon Ward
5. Nathan Ace
6. Ryan Tibbet
7. James Parry
8. Stuart Leach
Replacements
16. Nicky Boyce
17. Owen Jordan
18. Craig Tennant
19. Craig Moses
20. Josh Leach
RGC 1404
15. Afon Bagshaw
14. Richard Hopkins
13. Danny Cross
12. Tiaan Loots
11. Carwyn Ap Myrddin
10. James Lang
9. Alex Schwarz
1. Thomas Hughes
2. Tim Grey
3. Ian Williams
4. Maredydd Francis
5. Sean Lonsdale
6. Andrew Williams
7. Mei Parry
8. Kelvin Davies
Replacements
16. Rhys Williams
17. Joe Simpson
18. Bryn Williams
19. Cam Davies
20. Josh Leach
