RGC suffered their second defeat of the Principality Premiership with a 34-10 home loss at the hands of defending champions Merthyr in front of the BBC Scrum V cameras.

The visitors made a strong start to the contest and they were rewarded for a dominant early spell of pressure with a penalty after six minutes, which Matthew Jarvis duly despatched.

The Gogs were finding it difficult to cope with the powerful pack of the away side in the opening exchanges, especially in scrum situations, but they weathered the storm and notched the first try of the contest on 13 minutes when winger Sam Jones produced a stunning solo run before powering over from close range. Billy McBryde narrowly missed the conversion attempt.

This provoked a strong response from the Ironmen, who got their noses in front yet again thanks to a fine break from Josh Martin, who took on a pass at pace before touching down. Jarvis added the extras.

Some quick-thinking from scrum-half Efan Jones brought him within inches of the try line on 20 minutes, but the hosts were unable to capitalise thanks to one of a number of turnovers during the first quarter.

RGC forward Tim Grey also went close on 33 minutes but he was held up superbly by Osian Davies and Phil Rees, and tempers threatened to flare soon after thanks to an altercation between Rhys Williams and Jarvis.

After the break saw the visitors extend their advantage on 43 minutes when Justin James dotted over after holding the ball being another surging drive from the pack, but Jarvis’ conversion attempt sailed narrowly wide.

The Ironmen were now fully in the ascendancy and they pulled further clear when skipper Craig Lock managed to touch down after yet another significant spell of consistent pressure from Merthyr’s outstanding forwards.

Mark Jones’ men regained their composure and almost reduced the arrears with 51 gone when Evan Yardley crossed the white wash, but the try was waved off due to a double movement.

Both sides cancelled each other out midway through the half as the Gogs’ head coach looked to change his side’s fortunes with a host of replacements, but it was the away side who confirmed their bonus point victory on 67 minutes when Richard Powell rounded off a fine team move to score under the posts. Jarvis secured the extras.

Louis Jones put the exclamation point on proceedings with an unconverted try on 73 minutes, with Afon Bagshaw securing a consolation for the Gogs with 78 gone.