RGC exited the WRU National Cup after a 27-15 home loss at the hands of Cardiff.

The Gogs’ were unable to make their possession count during a crucial stage of the tie in the second period, and Mark Jones’ men can now focus on their Principality Premiership efforts when they make the daunting trip to defending champions Merthyr on Saturday (2.30pm).

The away side began the game on the front foot, and they scored the game’s first try early on when Joey Thomlinson crossed the white wash after some sustained pressure. Gareth Thompson added the extras.

This provoked a strong response from the hosts, who reduced the arrears soon after courtesy of a Billy McBryde penalty, but the South Walians dusted themselves off and extended their cushion when Adam Jones penetrated the Gogs’ rearguard for a touch-down.

Harri Evans, Tom Hughes and Efan Jones all went close to notching RGC’s first score of the game midway through the half, but they were all thwarted by the superb last-ditch tackling of the away side.

They did manage to go over just before the interval when Iolo Hughes displayed his trademark pace to latch on to a long kick before going over, and they turned up the pressure after the interval which resulted in Afon Bagshaw and Mei Parry coming within inches of the try line.

The Gogs’ did manage to get themselves ahead for the first time in the contest thanks to a powerful drive from Iolo Evans, with McBryde successful with the conversion attempt, but this joy proved to be short-lived as the visitors’ struck yet again thanks to a well-worked score from former RGC star Llywarch Ap Myrddin. Thompson again was on point for the extras.

Hughes made one of his trademark runs immediately following the restart, but he lacked support and the danger was averted. From the long kick upfield the away side pulled clear again when Max Llewelyn dotted over, with Thompson converting.

Bagshaw received a yellow card soon after, and their misery was compounded when Thompson fired over a penalty to round off the scoring.