PONTYPOOL coach Steve Jones has praised his team for putting the club on the brink of rejoining the big boys of Welsh rugby.

Once mighty Pooler are within touching distance of taking the First Division title. If they clinch it they will go into a play-off against the bottom side of the Welsh-Scottish League, probably Caerphilly, for a place in next season's top flight.

Jones watched from the dug-out as his side roared past Tondu, thumping them by 56-6 at the Park last night.

Pooler are now nine tries ahead of big rivals Aberavon, but that could be wiped out tonight when Aberavon play whipping boys Merthyr.

Jones said: "As a squad, that's the best we've played. I've said all along we would put a hell of a score on somebody if we played for the same cause - and that's what's happened.

"We couldn't have chosen a better time to score nine tries. I only wish we had done it earlier.

"I think our first-half display against the driving rain won the game. Our ball retention and discipline were superb and we could have scored more tries."

Pooler's next game is against Whitland at The Park this weekend. "I don't have to tell the team anything for the Whitland game," said Jones. "They have shocked a lot of sides and we know they'll give us a massive challenge."