RGC’s concerning recent form continued with a narrow 21-17 loss at Bargoed.

The Gogs’ turned in a much-improved display but were unable to come away from the game with a morale boosting victory, and Mark Jones’ side now sit in ninth spot in the Principality Premiership standings ahead of their next contest at Neath on Friday night (7.45pm).

Tricky conditions made things difficult for both sides in the opening exchanges, but the hosts managed to go ahead early on when skipper Grant Rogers burst over the line after a surging drive from the pack from a scrum. Josh Prosser added the extras.

This proved to be the catalyst for some sustained pressure from the visitors, who pinned their opponents in their own 22 for the majority of the first half thanks in no small part to some outstanding individual runs from Beau Williams and Danny Cross.

Their persistence finally paid off as the half-time whistle approached when winger Aaron Evans spotted a gap to cross the white wash after another impressive attacking move. Bill McBryde’s successful conversion attempt levelled matters.

After the interval saw the home side get their noses in front again thanks to a well-worked score from Alex Gardner, which Prosser converted, and the Gogs’ were dealt another blow when the influential duo of Andrew Williams and Beau Williams were forced off through injury.

Another impressive spell of phases saw the hosts extend their advantage courtesy of a Rhys Humphries try, but the Gogs’ were showing plenty of fight and got themselves back into the game when McBryde dotted over for their second score of the evening, which he also converted.

The fly-half reduced the arrears further when he drilled over a penalty, but despite dominating possession in the closing stages they were unable to come up with another crucial score and fell to their tenth defeat in 21 league contests.