RGC managed to pick up a bonus point despite falling to a 25-20 defeat at Llanelli.

The Gogs’ were unable to recover from a lacklustre first half showing against their Principality Premiership rivals, but head coach Mark Jones commended his squad for the way they responded after the break.

He said: “I think in the opening 20 minutes we gave away five penalties and add in the turnover ball, Llanelli took full advantage with the lead.”

“We then brought back to a 10-point game at halftime, and we felt we probably left even points out there.

“The big positive was that the boys reacted after the break as we gave them a clear message and the reacted. Our scrum did well second half, and when you look at the fact Evan Yardley came down with a virus before the game, Dion Jones is carrying a knock and we had to bring in Harvey Scott from Cardiff Met as cover on the bench we did well.”

The home side made their presence felt from the outset and went ahead on three minutes through a try from Chris Long which was converted by Declan Smith, and they extended their cushion soon after when Tom Pyrdie despatched a fine penalty kick.

Pyrdie successfully made his second free-kick of the afternoon following another infringement on 22 minutes, and things looked increasingly bleak for the Gogs when Ellis Thomas powered his way across the white wash. Smith added the extras to make it a 20-point game.

The away side showed some encouraging signs towards the end of the half when Jordan Scott’s determination saw him touch down for their first score. Billy McBryde notched the conversion.

McBryde reduced the arrears further with a well-struck penalty, but the visitors were dealt another blow just before the interval thanks to a Ryan Davies score following god work from Taylor Davies and Ellis Thomas.

The second period saw RGC waste a number of good chances, and despite a Jordan Jones try that was converted by McBryde, who also despatched a penalty late on, they were unable to complete what would have been a memorable comeback.