NEWCASTLE Emlyn were relieved to have achieved a 22-22 draw in the end against Cardiff Met, in a game which had started so well, but could have gone badly wrong.

Right from the start they showed the intent to emulate their bonus point win against Tata Steel the previous weekend.

Some powerful drives from back rowers Joel James and Luke Kendall soon took them to within striking distance, and wing Llyr Jones seized the ball and dived over under the posts for the first home try, converted by outside half Ashley Sutton.

Cardiff Met then scored their first points through the boot of outstanding full back George Simpson, when an offence was spotted by referee Elfyn Morris Roberts, of Swansea, near the centre of the field.

Forward dominance

The hosts continued to dominate the forward battle, having gained the edge in set pieces, and when second row Dyfed Morgan charged deep into Met territory, more tackle-breaking runs from Kendall and James allowed captain Alex Williams to cross for a try, converted by Sutton.

Met then got their passing game going, but committed defending from hard-working tacklers like prop Emrys Davies and openside Calum Evans denied them.

The students were eventually awarded with a penalty goal, however, kicked by the reliable Simpson, who added another three points from close to the halfway line.

From the restart, Emlyn outside centre Teifion Davies had lined up his man and the scramble to retain possession after his crunching tackle provided a penalty, kicked by Sutton for 17-9 lead at half time.

The students’ team talk obviously did the trick and, running good angles from deep, the pressure led to a penalty, and Simpson duly closed the gap to five points.

Met continued their attacks using their fast running backs, and momentum carried a player high onto the shoulder of Calum Evans during a tackle, and while his feet appeared to touch first as he came to ground, referee Roberts considered it to be a tip tackle and held up a yellow card.

The students kicked to touch and executed what looked like a training ground move, allowing hooker Shawn Howard to cross for a try, converted by Simpson, to take Met into the lead for the first time.

They attacked again from the restart but when Emlyn held up a player the referee deemed that his knee had touched the ground and awarded a penalty for not releasing, and Simpson made it 17-22.

Into the last quarter, the Emlyn forwards mounted a series of attacks, and eventually crossed, but the ball was held up.

A change of tactics was required so the ball was quickly passed through the hands, allowing wing Llyr Freeman to score in the corner to equalise. The angle of the conversion was too tight for Sutton.

Emlyn attacked again from the restart, but were penalised for holding on, and up stepped, full back George Simpson, who had amassed 17 of his side’s 22 points.

The potentially match winning kick appeared to be at the limit of his range, but this time the kick rebounded back off the base of an upright, and was quickly kicked out of play by Emlyn to end the game.