Swansea end 25-year wait for silver

Plate Final

■ By CARL FIELD

SWANSEA ended their 25-year wait for silverware after defeating RGC 29-13 at Cardiff Arms Park yesterday to lift the Super Rygbi Cymru Plate.

It secured the Whites their first piece of silverware since a Scott Gibbs led side won the Welsh/Scottish League back in 2001. That came two years after their last cup triumph – against Llanelli in the 1999 Swalec Cup final.

Josh Phillips kicked Swansea ahead with a penalty against RGC and it was a lead they never surrendered.

From the re-start, they went straight back on the attack with fullback Mat Protheroe running in the Whites’ first try. Phillips missed the conversion, but did add the extras to Protheroe’s second try to extend their lead to 15-0.

RGC hit back before the break; lock Billy McQueeney scored a try, with Billy McBryde converting and then sending over a penalty, to reduce the Gogs’ deficit to 15-10 at half time.

A second penalty from McBryde after the break was as good as it got though for RGC, as Swansea outside half Phillips scored a try and kicked three penalties in the second half to ensure glory for his side.