Racing Metro deny Scarlets a second straight pool victory

Sexton kicked 16 points

Racing’s  Jonathan Sexton prepares to kick at goal watched by Ronan O’Gara during Saturday’s match against Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets. Photograph:  Stu Forster/Getty Images.
Racing’s Jonathan Sexton prepares to kick at goal watched by Ronan O’Gara during Saturday’s match against Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets. Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images.

Outhalves Rhys Priestland and Johnny Sexton kicked 16 points apiece as Scarlets and Racing Metro shared the spoils in their Heineken Cup Pool 4 clash at Parc y Scarlets. Both sides also scored two tries each with Scott Williams and Rhodri Williams going over in the first half as the home side led 20-10 at half-time with two Racing players in the sin-bin.

Racing's tries came in each half from Wenceslas Lauret and Sakiusa Matadigo as the game finished in a 26-26 draw.

The French Top 14 side had a second try for Lauret ruled out in the 81st minute after the Television Match Official confirmed a knock-on in the build up.

The Scarlets had been hopeful of a second straight pool victory after their 33-26 win at Harlequins last week.

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However, they did not make the most of a good territorial start with Priestland wayward with two kickable penalties on two and five minutes.

Racing had a golden chance of a try when lock Juandre Kruger intercepted but despite a fine cross-kick from Sexton, the French side could not convert the chance. But Racing still managed to punish the home side for failing to get on the scoreboard by rattling up 10 points in the space of six minutes.

Further penalties from Priestland and Sexton kept the contest a very tight affair going into the final 10 minutes and Racing looked like they had taken a giant step towards victory when a maul earned them a penalty, but Sexton missed the target with his 73rd minute effort.