RGC began their Principality Premiership campaign with a hard-fought 37-19 home success over Neath.

The visitors came out of the blocks flying and went ahead after just five minutes through a well-worked try. Iwan Evans added the extras.

Things almost got even better for the away side soon after, but Ed Howley was tackled on the goal-line by the returning Sam Jones, with Efan Jones working hard to make things happen for the Gogs after winning the battle to start at scrum-half.

Billy McBryde got the home side up and running with a well-struck penalty on nine minutes, and they took the lead for the first time in the contest when Wales U20 international Sam Wainwright powered over from close range with 24 gone.

McBryde narrowly missed the conversion attempt, but he did extend their advantage with a penalty on the half hour mark after both sides were reduced to 14 men when Joe Simpson and Darren Hughes were sent to the sin bin following an altercation.

The hosts got further joy when Mei Parry crossed the whitewash after neat approach play from Jones and Iolo Evans on 34 minutes, with McBryde firing the extras, but the All Whites reduced the arrears when Alec Jenkins touched down with the final action of the first half.

Jones was on hand to score a try for the home side immediately after the interval on 42 minutes, with Evans also going over during a fine attacking display after 50. McBryde despatched both conversions.

Replacement Billy Rae touched down for the home side after a blistering run down the wing after 72 minutes to put the exclamation point on proceedings, with Neath awarded a penalty try to round off the scoring.