NEITHER Bro Ffestiniog nor Shotton Steel were able to secure the second promotion spot in Division Two North as the honours ended even in a 15-15 draw, after a highly entertaining encounter at Cae Dolawel last weekend.

It was a hard-hitting and physical match, and the visitors went close when, following a scrum on half way, quick ball spread out through the backs to Sean Middleton, and the right wing was only stopped by a try-saving tackle by Dewi Atherton.

The Steelmen went close again from a catch and drive as centre Josh Kettland was denied by full back Mathew Hayden.

The first points, however, came as Shotton were penalised for offside, and fly half Edwyn Roberts converted from 30 metres.

Referee Dylan Llyr warned the visitors for continuous infringements and Shotton went down to 14 as inside centre Steve Elson was binned for handling in a ruck.

This spurred on the hosts, and from a catch and drive 10 metres out they recycled well and created an overlap for number eight Dewi James to find himself out wide, but the final pass went astray.

Bro, however, got their first try when an untidy Shotton lineout was pounced on by Paul Kalafuz, and the prop powered over for a try, converted by Roberts.

Back to full strength, Shotton rallied again through scrum half Adam Lynskey’s sniping runs, and some powerful drives by number eight Huw Seargeant.

The hosts held out Shotton’s forwards through eight phases, but when the ball was finally sent to fly half Matt Condran, his fine cross kick found Middleton to cross for an unconverted try in the corner.

The hosts had a slender 10-5 lead at the interval, but Shotton started the second half as they had the first, and were camped inside Bro’s 25, but again Bro held firm.

Fifteen minutes into the half, the visitors were down to 14 again as number eight Sargeant was binned for not releasing.

Roberts kicked for touch and gained a five metre lineout, and the catch and drive was finished off by hooker Aron Hughes.

The Steelmen hit back immediately as they spread the ball out one way then the other, with the move being finished off in style by Kettland, and converted by Elson.

Soon after being back to full strength, the visitors again went down to 14 as wing Middleton was red-carded for a punch.

Minutes later, Shotton were awarded a penalty but chose to kick for touch, Bro won the lineout and were able to clear.

Bro too found themselves down to 14 after Karl Fozz was binned for a high tackle, and Elson kept his nerve and split the posts from 38 metres to tie the scores.

The Steelmen went for the win with phase after phase for the last five minutes, but the Quarrymen held firm for a draw.

Bro’s destiny is still in their own hands as they entertain Flint in the final league match this Saturday, kick off 2:30pm. A family fun day has also been arranged.