RGC’s hopes of clinching the Principality Premiership crown are all-but over after a narrow 26-25 loss at Ebbw Vale.

The Gogs were unable to gain revenge on the team that dumped them out of the WRU National Cup at the same venue earlier in the season, and Mark Jones’ men will look to close out their away fixtures in style when they visit Llandovery on Saturday.

The away side got off to a blistering start and were in a commanding position early on when a sweeping team move was finished off by Dion Jones for the opening score of the tie. Jacob Botica added the extras.

Things got even better for the visitors soon after when another sensational team move ended with Tom Hughes touching down to extend their lead for an unconverted score.

This finally provoked the home side into life and they got themselves back into the clash when Toby Fricker crossed the white wash following a period of pressure, with Dai Langdon nailing the extras.

Botica and Langdon exchanged penalties in an even period of play midway through the half, but Vale went ahead for the first time thanks to a try from Ronnie Kynes after a line out steal from Cam Reagan, which was converted.

A series of Gogs’ infringements after the interval saw them fall further behind thanks to a pair of penalties from the assured boot of Langdon, while at the other end Botica was successful with one of his two free-kick opportunities.

Jones side continued to show fight and looked to have secured a priceless victory late on when Dion Jones went over for his second of the afternoon, which Botica converted, but they were undone at the death when Dan Haymond despatched a penalty to give Vale the win by a solitary point.