Williams masterclass brings Pooler’s amazing run to an end

PONTYPOOL’S amazing unbeaten league run is at an end.

Their moment of truth in the Admiral National Championship came at The Gnoll where Neath triumphed 9-3.

You had to go back four years to March 25, 2017, for the last time the Gwent side had lost a league game. That was a 30-22 defeat at Cardiff Met, the only loss they suffered that season.

Since then they had put together a run of 64 successive wins, but came up short in a game of a mere four penalties in Neath.

It was the first game involving Pontypool where neither side scored a try since March 2009, when Pooler beat Newport 12-9.

Having opened the campaign with a 42-3 victory over Maesteg Quins, Pooler were aiming to send out a strong statement against one of their major title rivals.

The Welsh All Blacks also made a winning start with a 30-22 victory over Narberth.

Steff Williams delivered a kicking masterclass for the home side that saw the reigning champions’ unbeaten run brought to an end.

Williams landed a penalty in the third minute to edge his side in front.

The home side’s task was made all the harder when they lost loosehead prop Jack Powell to the sin-bin 10 minutes later, but Pontypool failed to capitalise on the extra man.

Neath then lost No. 8 Dai Griggs to another yellow card and this time Kieran Meek levelled the scores.

On the stroke of half-time Williams kicked Neath back in front and then it was a case of the home defence standing firm as the Pooler forwards looked for a point of weakness.

Then a third Williams penalty made it 9-3 and the black wall stood firm to the end.

Beddau were beaten 23-0 at home by Cardiff Met, who raced into a 15-point lead in the first half.

The students added a third try after the break, but couldn’t manage the bonus point as they made it a hat-trick over the home side.

Cross Keys bounced back from an opening defeat with a 22-16 home win over Ystrad Rhondda. Chris Johnsey opened the scoring for Keys with a try, but by the break the visitors led 13-12.

Rhys Truelove’s boot added a penalty to two earlier tries for Ystrad to edge them in front and he added a second penalty after the break. But Keys came storming back and after Adam Tetley kicked a penalty, a penalty try clinched matters.

Bargoed’s 38-18 win at Bedwas kept them a point clear of Cardiff Met at the top of the table.