Northmore score sets wet Met on their way

ONLY four teams were in action on Wednesday for the rearranged round of fixtures. Cardiff Met defeated Durham 15-6 in abysmal conditions at Cyncoed. The rain drove relentlessly in the first half as Met attacked inscecently. However, a litany of handling errors meant they only had a Harry Johnston penalty to show.

Durham were cuter, keeping things tight in attack and defending fiercely, notably through Chris Johnston. A Kippa Fawcett penalty saw them head to the sheds level.

With the hard work done and the conditions in their favour, Durham’s ringcraft escaped them. Met’s Jack Wright exploded through weak tackling to feed Luke Northmore who raced over for a try that changed the game. Durham looked less composed chasing and a yellow for a clumsy Fitz Harding late hit on Met’s Russell Bennett was pivotal. Met kicked to the corner and from the resulting lineout drove Jack Samuel across. Bennett converted magnificently and The Palatinate could only add another penalty as they fell short of a bonus point.

Northumbria broke Cardiff hearts, snatching a dramatic 34-29 win, denying the new boys their maiden BSR win.

Harry Griffin and a Greg Ramage brace supplemented by Owen Williams’ kicking saw Cardiff race to a shock 213 lead with Josh Hodge’s boot the only contribution from the hosts.

Northumbria fought back to lead 24-21 courtesy of George Wacokecoke, Yaree Fantini and Isaac Brace tries converted by Hodge but Cardiff weren’t done. A Williams try and penalty sandwiched another Hodge penalty before Hodge converted his own try on 76 minutes to clinch a classic.