JEKYLL and Hyde Ebbw Vale’s top eight hopes suffered a setback with the reigning Principality Premiership champions sent crashing to a comprehensive defeat by a rampant RGC 1404 side at Parc Eirias.

The game was all but over as a contest by the break after a first half that saw the North Walians run riot with six tries to lead 43-10.

Meanwhile this defeat sees the Steelmen slip out of the top eight, with three fixtures remaining before the league splits in January.

RGC took the lead on 11 minutes when flanker Will Bryan fed hooker Evan Yardley who darted through to score the opening try of the match, which was converted by fly-half Jacob Botica to make it 7-0.

Botica extended that lead with a penalty seven minutes later following a great initial burst from centre Tiaan Loots, before the Steelmen responded with a penalty try on 21 minutes after a scrum five, which was converted by Dai Langdon to pull the score back to 10-7.

That lead soon became 15-7 though when a great move involving Loots, Bryan and scrum-half Alex Schwarz sent No.8 Huw Worthington over for the hosts’ second try although this time the conversion was missed.

Langdon then struck a penalty for the visitors on 25 minutes but RGC were over for try three moments later and this time it was Bryan who scored under the posts with Botica’s conversion making it 22-10.

The home side scored their bonus-point try on 36 minutes scored by wing Aron Evans, with Botica again taking care of the extras to make it 29-10 and then they scored a fifth try when Loots broke through and, after Tom Hughes fell short, he passed to skipper Maredydd Francis to score with Botica converting to make it 36-10.

RGC completed a stunning first half display with this time Loots on the scoresheet right on the break as he finished off a length-of-the-field move that started with a turnover under their own posts. Botica converted.

The second half was a scrappy event with a seventh try coming on 76 minutes for replacement hooker Rhys Williams after Richard Hopkins had been stopped short of the line.

Ebbw then scored a consolation second try under the posts scored by flanker Ronny Kynes, converted by Langdon, before replacement Danny Cross booted a late penalty to round things off for the home side.

RGC: R Williams; S Jones, T Hughes, T Loots, A Evans; J Botica (D Cross 55), A Schwarz (E Jones 71); J Simpson (S Wainwright 68), E Yardley (R Williams 58), T G Hughes (P John 68), M Francis (capt), H Williams, A Williams, W Bryan (M Parry 39), H Worthington.

Scorers – Tries: E Yardley, H Worthington, W Bryan, A Evans, M Francis, T Loots, R Williams; Cons: J Botica (5); Pens: J Botica, D Cross.

Ebbw Vale: D Haymond; C Duncan (R Gardner 55), S Majkic, N Preece (J Howells 60), C Levesley; D Langdon, D Jones (C Thomas 54); R Jones (I George 55), J Franchi (J Bowen 55), G Robinson (J James 65), D Hudd (capt), M Williams (J Bartlett 40), R Clarke (R Dicks 30), R Kynes, J Goodey.

Scorers – Tries: Penalty try, R Kynes; Cons: D Langdon (2); Pen: D Langdon.

Star man: Tiaan Loots (RGC 1404) Ebbw Vale star man: Dai Langdon Referee: Rhys Thomas (WRU)