RGC answered the challenge set by them by Mark Jones to get back to winning ways against Bargoed.

The Gogs were publicly criticised by their head coach after a disappointing recent run of results, and they showed their resolve to produce one of their best performances of the Principality Premiership season to date to secure a 40-7 victory in front of their passionate home support at Stadiwm Zip World.

The public grilling proved to be a masterstroke from Jones, who does not want complacency to become an issue which would subsequently have the potential to undo all the fantastic progress the club has made since he assumed the role.

Losing Tiaan Loots, Jacob Botica and Alex Schwartz during the summer was a blow, but Saturday showed once again that there is plenty to like about the squad and what they can achieve.

They are all still young and learning the game, and although the majority have the experience of playing in the top flight they are less familiar with adopting more prominent roles in the set-up and need time to adjust accordingly.

Add to this the absence of Wales 7s star Afon Bagshaw and there were always going to be teething problems, so it is imperative that they use their weekend win as a springboard to get themselves back into contention at the business end of the table after slipping in recent weeks.

There is no doubt that on their day RGC’s expansive rugby is difficult to stop, and perhaps the most encouraging sign of Saturday’s performance was their improved effort from their forward line, who stood up to be counted and produced a dominant display which featured plenty of surging drives and some incredible defensive tackles to keep them in the ascendancy.

The short break before their next outing away to Cardiff on November 9 will give the squad the chance to freshen up and work to improve even further in the hope of putting together a prolonged run of results, and with home games against Bedwas and Llanelli on the horizon, it represents a significant chance for Jones’ side to build some positive momentum heading into the busy festive season.

It is a hugely competitive Premiership this season with so many established clubs looking very strong in the early stages, but the Gogs have shown that they belong in the conversion of top teams within the division and showed on Saturday they have the character to match their undoubted ability.