PONTYPOOL went top of the Welsh First Division for the first time since November and put themselves in the promotion play-offs driving seat with a complete 56-6 demolition of Tondu at Pontypool Park last night.

It was a display worthy of title-winners and an unexpected nine tries, some magnificent efforts, leaves challengers Aberavon with a massive task to overtake them.

They could do so with a hatful against relegated Merthyr tonight, but if they fail to match Steve Jones' men, with their last two matches away and Pontypool's final couple at home, they could lose out.

Ironically, their next match is at Tondu next Wednesday and, though on last night's display you wouldn't expect a Wizards victory, don't bank on it.

Tondu coach Anthony Woodward has promised Jones and his squad that they will not lay down before Aberavon.

Woodward said: "I think they can be beaten at our place, so we could do Pontypool a favour. We'll be all out to win.

"We were beaten big time today by a big pack. We were simply sucked in and pushed aside."

The fans, who stayed away because of heavy rain and the Manchester United match on TV, missed a treat last night.

Joel Griffin opened the scoring after a move started by fellow wing Stephen John on his 22 after seven minutes.

John fed full-back David Smith, took his quick return, and charged to the opposite 22 before the ball was moved swiftly from a ruck for a terrific score wide out.

Two Tondu penalties briefly put them ahead before a tap on the Pontypool 22 produced a 60 metre burst by centre Jonathan Hawker and a try by Manu Tuipulotu. Before half-time, outside-half Byron Hayward was driven over and he added a conversion and penalty for a 22-6 lead.

After the interval, a rampant pack bulldozed Tondu aside. A Tuipulotu drive set up a try for Hawker before the Tongan sprinted 40m from a scrum for a magnificent solo effort.

He was again involved to help Jones grab a try before replacement Stuart Lawrence and John added further touchdowns.

Pontypool: D Smith, J Griffin, B Jeffries (C Landry 73min), J Hawker, S John, B Hayward (S Lawrence 52min), N Lloyd (G Jenkins 75min), A Phillips (G Gunter 62min), L Jones (C Thomas 40min), L Mustoe, K Faletau, M Powell (J Sulway 70min), M Tuipulotu, C Trayherne, M Jones (A Howarth 62min). Scorers. Tries: Griffin, Tuipulotu (2), Hayward, Hawker, Jones, Smith, Lawrence, John; Cons: Hayward (3), Lawrence;Pen: Hayward. Tondu: A Howells, D Thomas, M Tatchell, R Dyke (R Walters (53min), D Thomas (A Pearce 48min), R Langmead, D Williams, D Austin (L Manning 53min), A Phillips, I Poley (K Sadd 53min), P Standing (R Stanton 68min), R Jones, J Purnell, K Hocking (P Morgan 58min), N Strong. Scorers. Pens: Langmead (2).

*PICTURED: Pontypool skipper Mark Jones blasts through the defence