SWANSEA were held to a 16-16 draw by RGC 1404 in what was a dour game at St Helen's.
During an extremely scrappy first half, the main talking point was a red card for Swansea hooker Ashley James, who was given his marching orders after punching an opposition player.
RGC 1404 got the game's first try when outside centre Tom Hughes powered his way over from short range.
With the All Whites a man down, their pack showed some real backbone to stay in the game and were rewarded when blindside flanker Morgan Morris touched down after a powerful driving maul from the hosts, with the try converted by Owen Howe – meaning Swansea turned around 7-5 up at the break.
Howe extended the home sides lead at the start of the second period with two penalty kicks before Hughes scored his second after lovely interplay with full-back Dion Jones and scrum-half Cam Davies. Despite the dour nature of the game those in attendance were at least treated to a nailbiting final ten minutes.
Outside-half Jacob Botica put the visitors ahead with moments to go and must have thought that they had finally broken an extremely brave Swansea outfit.
But despite being a man down the hosts never gave up with Howe knocking a over a penalty at the death to secure a creditable 16-16 draw for the All Whites.
Star man
Tom Hughes – RGC 1404
